O’kennon’s Hawthorn: A Rare Northwestern Native Worth Knowing
Meet O’kennon’s hawthorn (Crataegus okennonii), a little-known member of the beloved hawthorn family that calls the Pacific Northwest home. While you won’t find this shrub at your typical garden center, this rare native deserves a spot on every native plant enthusiast’s radar.
What Makes O’kennon’s Hawthorn Special?
O’kennon’s hawthorn is a perennial shrub that embodies the classic hawthorn form – a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically stays under 13 to 16 feet tall. Like other members of the Crataegus family, it develops several stems from near the ground, creating that distinctive shrubby appearance we associate with hawthorns.
Where You’ll Find This Northwestern Native
This hawthorn has a relatively limited range, naturally occurring across parts of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains. You can find it growing wild in British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Washington – a distribution that speaks to its preference for cooler, mountainous climates.
A Word About Rarity
Important conservation note: O’kennon’s hawthorn carries a Global Conservation Status of S2S4, indicating it may be rare or uncommon in parts of its range. If you’re interested in growing this species, it’s crucial to source plants only from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate from ethically collected seeds or cuttings. Never harvest from wild populations.
Why Consider This Hawthorn?
While specific details about O’kennon’s hawthorn’s garden performance are limited due to its rarity, hawthorns as a group offer several benefits to native gardens:
- Native wildlife support (though specific benefits for this species aren’t well documented)
- Adaptation to regional climate conditions
- Potential for spring flowers and fall berries, typical of hawthorn species
- Multi-season interest as a shrub
Growing Considerations
Due to the limited documentation available for this specific species, growing recommendations must be extrapolated from its native habitat and related hawthorn species. Given its natural range in British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, and Washington, O’kennon’s hawthorn likely prefers:
- Cooler climates with distinct seasons
- Well-draining soils
- Full sun to partial shade conditions
- USDA hardiness zones that correspond to its native range (likely zones 3-7)
The Challenge of Growing Rare Natives
Here’s the reality: O’kennon’s hawthorn isn’t your typical garden center find. Its rarity means that specific growing guides, propagation methods, and care instructions aren’t readily available. If you’re determined to grow this species, you’ll need patience and a willingness to experiment based on general hawthorn care principles.
Should You Plant O’kennon’s Hawthorn?
This comes down to your gardening goals and experience level. If you’re a dedicated native plant gardener with experience growing challenging species, and you can source plants responsibly, O’kennon’s hawthorn could be a unique addition to a native Northwestern garden. However, if you’re looking for reliable, well-documented native options, consider other Pacific Northwest hawthorns with better-known growing requirements.
The Bottom Line
O’kennon’s hawthorn represents both the excitement and challenge of working with rare native plants. While we celebrate the diversity it adds to our regional flora, its conservation status means we must approach cultivation thoughtfully. Whether you choose to seek out this rare hawthorn or opt for better-documented relatives, supporting native plants in our gardens helps preserve the botanical heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
Remember: when it comes to rare natives, conservation comes first. If you can’t source O’kennon’s hawthorn responsibly, there are many other wonderful native hawthorns and shrubs that can provide similar ecological benefits with less conservation concern.
