Crataegus aestivalis

• Eastern Mayhaw

Seed - this is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, some of the seed will germinate in the spring, though most will probably take another year. Stored seed can be very slow and erratic to germinate, it should be warm stratified for 3 months at 15°c and then cold stratified for another 3 months at 4°c^[8]. It may still take another 18 months to germinate^[9]. Scarifying the seed before stratifying it might reduce this time^[10]. Fermenting the seed for a few days in its own pulp may also speed up the germination process[K]. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (as soon as the embryo has fully developed but before the seedcoat hardens) and sow it immediately in a cold frame. If timed well, it can germinate in the spring^[10]. If you are only growing small quantities of plants, it is best to pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in individual pots for their first year, planting them out in late spring into nursery beds or their final positions. When growing larger quantities, it might be best to sow them directly outdoors in a seedbed, but with protection from mice and other seed-eating creatures. Grow them on in the seedbed until large enough to plant out, but undercut the roots if they are to be left undisturbed for more than two years.

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive loamy soil but is not at all fussy^[11][12][6]. Once established, it succeeds in excessively moist soils and also tolerates drought^[12][6]. It grows well on a chalk soil and also in heavy clay soils^[12]. It thrives in acid soils^[1]. A position in full sun is best when plants are being grown for their fruit, they also succeed in semi-shade though fruit yields and quality will be lower in such a position^[11][12]. It succeeds well in exposed positions and tolerates atmospheric pollution^[12][6].

A very hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c^[1]. This species is closely related to C. opaca and is included in that species by some botanists. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus^[12]. Seedling trees take from 5 - 8 years before they start bearing fruit, though grafted trees will often flower heavily in their third year[K]. The flowers have a foetid smell somewhat like decaying fish. This attracts midges which are the main means of fertilization. When freshly open, the flowers have more pleasant scent with balsamic undertones^[13]. Seedlings should not be left in a seedbed for more than 2 years without being transplanted^[11].

Occasionally cultivated for its fruit in America, there are some named varieties^[5].