Red Haw: A Hardy Native Hawthorn Worth Growing
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails native shrub that delivers year-round interest while supporting local wildlife, meet the red haw (Crataegus chrysocarpa var. chrysocarpa). This underappreciated member of the hawthorn family might just be the perfect addition to your native plant garden.
What Is Red Haw?
Red haw goes by several charming names including fireberry hawthorn, red-fruited hawthorn, and scarlet hawthorn – all hints at its most striking feature: brilliant red berries that light up the fall landscape. This perennial shrub typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody plant, usually staying under 13-16 feet tall, though it can occasionally reach greater heights depending on growing conditions.
Where Does Red Haw Come From?
This hardy native calls both Canada and the lower 48 states home, with an impressive range that spans from coast to coast. You’ll find red haw naturally growing in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and even Newfoundland. In the United States, its range includes Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
A Note About Rarity
While red haw has a broad native range, it’s worth noting that in New Jersey, this species has a rarity status of Highlands Listed, S2, meaning it’s considered uncommon in that region. If you live in areas where red haw is rare, you can still grow it in your garden – just make sure to source your plants responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries rather than collecting from wild populations.
Why Plant Red Haw in Your Garden?
Red haw offers a spectacular show throughout the growing season. In spring, clusters of small white flowers create a cloud of blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. Come fall, those flowers transform into bright red berries that not only look stunning but also provide valuable food for birds and other wildlife. The foliage often turns beautiful shades of orange and red in autumn, adding to the seasonal display.
This shrub is particularly valuable for:
- Native plant gardens and naturalized landscapes
- Wildlife gardens focused on supporting local fauna
- Woodland edges and transitional areas
- Hedgerows and privacy plantings
- Low-maintenance landscape designs
Growing Red Haw Successfully
One of red haw’s best qualities is its adaptability. This tough native thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-7, making it suitable for much of the northern United States and southern Canada. It’s remarkably unfussy about soil conditions and can handle everything from full sun to partial shade, though it tends to flower and fruit best with at least some direct sunlight.
Here are some tips for growing red haw successfully:
- Choose a location with well-draining soil – red haw doesn’t like to sit in water
- Plant in spring or fall for best establishment
- Water regularly during the first year to help establish roots
- Once established, red haw is quite drought tolerant
- Minimal pruning needed – just remove dead or damaged branches
- Be patient – like most hawthorns, red haw can be slow to establish but is long-lived once settled
The Bottom Line
Red haw is an excellent choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance native shrub that provides multiple seasons of interest while supporting local wildlife. Its adaptability, hardiness, and ecological value make it a smart addition to native plant gardens, especially in areas where you want to create habitat for birds and pollinators. Just remember to source your plants responsibly, particularly if you’re in regions where this beautiful hawthorn is less common.
Whether you call it red haw, fireberry hawthorn, or any of its other colorful names, this native shrub proves that sometimes the best plants are the ones that have been thriving in our landscapes for centuries – they just need gardeners willing to give them a chance.
