Cole’s Hawthorn: A Rare Native Gem for Great Lakes Gardeners
If you’re a native plant enthusiast in the Great Lakes region, you might have stumbled across the name Cole’s hawthorn (Crataegus coleae) in your research. This lesser-known native shrub represents one of North America’s many hawthorn species, though it’s certainly not as common in gardens as its more popular cousins.
What Is Cole’s Hawthorn?
Cole’s hawthorn is a perennial shrub native to the lower 48 states, specifically found in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Like other hawthorns, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically stays under 13-16 feet in height, though it can occasionally grow taller or develop a single trunk depending on growing conditions.
You might also see this plant listed under its botanical synonyms Crataegus eatoniana or Crataegus macauleyae in older references, but Crataegus coleae is the currently accepted name.
Where Does It Grow?
This hawthorn has a remarkably limited native range, appearing naturally in just three states in the Great Lakes region. Its restricted distribution suggests it may have specific habitat requirements or simply represents a naturally rare species.
Should You Plant Cole’s Hawthorn?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While Cole’s hawthorn is undoubtedly a native species worthy of conservation, its extremely limited distribution raises some important considerations for home gardeners:
- Rarity concerns: With such a restricted range, this species may be naturally rare
- Limited availability: You’re unlikely to find this species at your local nursery
- Unknown cultivation requirements: Specific growing conditions and care instructions aren’t well-documented
The Responsible Approach
If you’re determined to grow Cole’s hawthorn, proceed with caution and responsibility. Only obtain plants or seeds from reputable native plant societies or conservation organizations that can verify the source material wasn’t collected from wild populations. Never collect from the wild yourself.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Given the uncertainty around Cole’s hawthorn, consider these well-established native hawthorn alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis): More widely available with known cultivation requirements
- Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii): Great for wildlife and easier to source
- Cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli): Thorny but beautiful, with excellent fall color
The Bottom Line
While Cole’s hawthorn represents an interesting piece of Great Lakes flora, its rarity and limited cultivation information make it a challenging choice for most gardeners. If you live within its native range and are passionate about growing truly local species, connect with native plant societies in Michigan, Ohio, or Pennsylvania for guidance. Otherwise, you’ll likely have better success and make a bigger positive impact by choosing more readily available native hawthorns that can provide similar ecological benefits with less uncertainty.
Remember, the goal of native gardening is to support local ecosystems while creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes. Sometimes that means choosing the more common native over the rare gem – and that’s perfectly okay!
