Hawthorn: species and varieties

Today we will tell you what the hawthorn is healing, we'll look at its types. We will also describe each grade in detail and medical application.

Hawthorn is known to everyone as a medicinal plant. But, in addition to its healing properties, it is distinguished by its beauty.

Description of the plant

Hawthorn is beautiful both in the flowering period and during the ripening of fruits. Depending on what kind of plant, its berries can differ in color and shape. In the world there are about one and a half thousand different types of hawthorn. Therefore, you can talk about it a lot. Moreover, this plant has valuable medicinal properties. The variety of species of hawthorn gives the opportunity to grow it in the form of a shrub, and in the form of a small tree. Some decorative types can be converted into bonsai. Since this plant is spread all over the world, it is possible to meet an evergreen hawthorn. Its species have spines. This is a distinctive characteristic of the bush.

The family to which the hawthorn belongs is called the Half-Evergreen. It should be noted that the plant has been used in the industrial production of medicines for the last several years.

The main differences between varieties are the color of the fruit, the height of the plant, the shape of the leaves.

As a rule, the flowering of hawthorn occurs in June. This plant has white flowers. Fruits ripen to the beginning of the autumn season. By the way, they are very useful for human health.

The fruits of hawthorn may be round or oblong in shape. The color range of berries is quite diverse, from standard red to yellow and black. The hawthorn fruit tastes sweet and sour.

For medicinal purposes, you can use decoctions of leaves, flowers and berries of a plant. All of them have valuable properties. It is especially recommended for people with cardiovascular problems to use hawthorn.

The species of this plant will be considered further. Now I would like to say that the hawthorn contains a large number of useful microelements and vitamins. In order for this plant to grow well and fructify on the land, it is necessary to seriously choose the variety. Therefore, before buying one or the other, it is necessary to find out what kinds of hawthorn (some of which are pictured in the article) are most suitable for the area where they are supposed to be planted. For this, it is necessary to take into account the climatic characteristics of the region. Namely, the temperature regime, the amount of precipitation and sunshine and other features of the weather in the area.

Ordinary hawthorn (prickly)

Now we'll figure out how the hawthorn is. Kinds of it we will consider also features of everyone. Ordinary hawthorn is the most common species of this plant in our country. This is due to the fact that it is frost-resistant. In most regions of Russia, the winter period of the year is quite long. Therefore this species of hawthorn is widely spread. The height of an ordinary hawthorn does not exceed 5 meters.

It has a rather dense crown, there are thorns on the branches. Has wide leaves, divided into blades, their number is 4 or 5. Ordinary hawthorn blossoms inflorescences. The flowering period is about 2 weeks. Fruit-borne this type of plant begins in late summer or early autumn. Berries of common hawthorn of round shape. They are painted in red or burgundy color. Their size is one centimeter in diameter. Another reason for the widespread spread of common hawthorn is that it does not require any special care. This plant can tolerate both bright sun and heat, and a shadow, dry weather. Also this hawthorn is resistant to frost. Can grow on any soil, does not need additional feeding. For sure, many met an ordinary hawthorn, growing a wall. You can also see this plant in the city parks and forest fringes.

Altai hawthorn

What other types of hawthorn are there? The photo of the Altai is presented below. This species, like the common one, is an unpretentious plant. The main difference is that it needs a choice of soil. Altai hawthorn prefers a more moist soil. The height of the plant is eight meters. In the wild, it settles near reservoirs on chalky soils with a stone scatter. On the branches of Altai hawthorn there are thorns.

The leaves have a bluish tide and a hairy structure. The Altai hawthorn begins to bloom in late spring or early summer. Has lush inflorescences in the form of a ball. Fruits of this species of hawthorn ripen in August. The color of the berries of the Altai hawthorn differs from the ordinary. They have orange or yellow color. Fruit-bearing this plant begins 6 or 7 years after planting.

Pear

What species of hawthorn is known? Pear. The most common habitat for hawthorn is the middle west of the USA. In this area, the height of the plant is 11 meters, its branches are straight with spines, which grow to 5 centimeters. Pear hawthorn has white dense inflorescences. This plant has red fruits. In diameter, their size reaches 10 millimeters. A distinctive feature of the pear hawthorn is that it is not as frost-resistant as the common and Altai hawthorn. Therefore, in Russia it is recommended to plant it only in southern regions with a warmer climate.

Fan-shaped

What else is hawthorn? The species of this plant is quite diverse. For example, there is a fan-shaped hawthorn. It is widespread in the northern regions of our country and in the Caucasus mountains.

A distinctive feature of the fan-shaped hawthorn is the presence on its branches of curved spines, which grow to 7 centimeters. The height of this plant is about 6 meters. Also this hawthorn is quite wide, about 3 or 4 meters. The leaves are elongated and divided into 4 or 6 lobes. In the spring period, the leaves of the fan-shaped hawthorn are covered with a gentle fluff. Then eventually it comes to naught. Then the leaves become smooth.

Inflorescences of this plant are not particularly fluffy. Berries ripen in late summer or early autumn. They come in different colors, from yellow to red.

The shape of the berries is apple-shaped. This variety of hawthorn is rich in fruit. The fan-shaped is resistant to frost, it can grow in the shade.

Daursky hawthorn

The main places of distribution of this variety are Siberia and Primorye, as well as the Amur region. Many species of hawthorn are unpretentious. But this one is pretty picky. It grows in places with moist fertile soil, near rivers. She also likes bright and sunny places.

In height, the plant reaches 6 meters. Has rather small thorns and gray color of a bark. Leaves are dark green in color. Can be in the form of a diamond and have blades in the number of 3 or 5 pieces. Blooms, like most of the hawthorn, either in late May or early June. Flowers can be either white or pink. Stamens of a dark red shade look very beautiful. The berries of this plant have a bright red color and an oblong shape.

Hawthorn Douglas

Different types of hawthorn have their own characteristics. This plant variety loves moisture. Therefore, its place of residence is the places directly next to the rivers. The height of the plant reaches 12 meters. Does not need a lot of sunlight. The bark of this species of hawthorn has a dark brown hue and a lamellar structure. Virtually there are no spines on the branches. Sometimes they occur, but they have a small size and a curved shape. The leaves are dark green and oblong. As a rule, all kinds of hawthorn blossom in May, this one is not an exception. When flowering, hawthorns have white or cream flowers.

Bordea berries ripen to the beginning of autumn. Sometimes the color of the fruit comes to a black shade. Fruit-bearing begins after five or six years after planting. Berries in diameter are equal to one centimeter.

In addition to fruit-bearing plants, there are species of hawthorn ornamental. These plants are used to decorate parks, squares and suburban areas.

How correctly to plant?

Since hawthorn is a medicinal plant and has a beneficial effect on the body, one should think about planting it in your garden or garden area. Types of hawthorn in Russia are quite widely represented. So you need to know how to look after them. Despite the fact that this plant is unpretentious, it will be more favorable to plant it in hard soil with drainage. It is better if the soil is fertile. But, as a rule, in garden plots and cottages it is such.

First you need to prepare a mixture for planting. It must be made from sand, peat and humus. It is also necessary to add leaf flour there. In the pit for planting, lime should be put, but it is important that the root system of the hawthorn does not touch it. The bottom layer of the pit is laid with a layer of drainage. It can be made from rubble, gravel or broken bricks. This layer should be about 15 centimeters. It is better to choose a sunny place to plant. This will ensure good fruiting hawthorn. You should know that the plant has a long root system. Because of this feature, hawthorn can be transplanted only up to 5 years. As a rule, plants are planted at a two-year-old age for a permanent residence. The procedure for the transplantation of hawthorn should be carried out either in the spring or in the autumn period of the year. The pit should be 70 centimeters. If you plan to plant several hawthorns, then between them should be laid a distance of two meters. After the plant is planted, it is recommended to water it. In 6 years it begins to bear fruit.

How to care for hawthorn on the land?

Everything is done quite simply. It is necessary to cut off dry and dead branches. Some use hawthorn as a living fence. Under such conditions, the plant should be cut, leaving one third of the shoot. Do this in the spring. Hawthorn very well gives in to a hairstyle. Therefore, you can come up with or copy interesting shapes.

Do not interfere with feeding for hawthorn. Fertilize the plant is recommended in the spring. For this, liquid manure can be used. This procedure should be done before the plant blooms. Watering hawthorn is needed once a month. And it needs to be done abundantly. For each bush you need to pour about fifteen liters of water. If the summer is arid, it is recommended to water the hawthorn more often.

We also need to remove weeds and dig up the soil. Digging should be done carefully, so as not to damage the root system of the plant. For this, the spade does not need to be introduced into the ground strictly vertically. The maximum depth of digging should be about 10 centimeters. The above procedures for the care of hawthorn are enough.

How does it multiply?

There are several ways in which you can propagate hawthorn. Namely: seeds, root cuttings or through grafting.

The method of reproduction through hawthorn seeds is quite time consuming. First, the plant has thick skin. Therefore, the process of stratification is quite long. In time it is one year. Ripened seeds are also awakened for a long time. Usually this process takes 2 years. And not all seeds will ascend, but only a part, since some may be empty inside.

There is a certain order of how to propagate hawthorn by means of seeds:

1. First of all, you need to collect the berries of the plant. Fit unripened fruit.
2. They should be filled with water and left in this position for 3 days.
3. After that it is necessary to rub the seeds with sandpaper or sand.
4. Then they need to be washed and placed in a solution (one percent) with nitrate for two days.
5. In late autumn, the seeds are planted in the ground. In a couple of years the seedling should reach a height of 60 centimeters. In this period it is necessary to cut it. But it is necessary to leave 3 buds in height from the basis. It is also necessary to cut off the shoots that are located on the side. You should leave only 2.

Propagation of hawthorn by means of root cuttings

To reproduce the plant in this way, one must take roots and take 20 mm of them. Then you can cut them into 10 centimeters. After that, they should be placed in the ground, preferably in a greenhouse. And burrow them should be inclined, so that the thick end of the root would come out about 2 centimeters. For planting is suitable for spring and autumn season.

Perhaps the reproduction of hawthorn by vaccination. This procedure is done in August. To implement it you need a certain experience. You can plant different types of hawthorn.

How to collect hawthorn?

You should know that all types of hawthorn possess useful properties. Also all parts (flowers, leaves, fruits and even bark) plants are curative. Therefore, during flowering, flowers and leaves of hawthorn gather. They are dried and placed in a special container for further storage. The fruit of the bush gathers at the end of summer or early autumn, when they ripen. Berries are dried and transferred to enamel ware. The container with these fruits must be closed with a lid. It is better if it is airtight.

Is it possible and how to use hawthorn in fresh form?

Hawthorn is not only possible, but you also need to eat fresh. Since the collected berries contain the greatest amount of useful microelements and vitamins. You can use these fruits to all. There are no age restrictions. But usually it happens that the harvest of berries exceeds the amount that can be used by all family members. And so the question arises as to how to keep the hawthorn fresh. You can freeze it, but the easiest and most affordable way to preserve the medicinal properties of the plant is to dry berries. Then they can be used for cooking compotes, teas, various desserts and other. You can dry any hawthorn.

There are certain recommendations on the use of this berry. You should know that hawthorn in its fresh form should be consumed in limited quantities. The norm is 150 grams of berries a day. And this figure includes the use of desserts using fruits of the plant. Exceeding this dose may lead to an increase in pressure, a malfunction of the stomach and heart. In general, it should be remembered that hawthorn in raw form is recommended to eat after eating, as the fiber of berries is an irritant for the walls of the stomach. Therefore, people prone to diseases of this kind should carefully use this fruit.

What kinds of hawthorn are used in medicine? Since ancient times, the plant has found its application in medical purposes due to its composition. In Russia, mostly use a blood-red look. But in European countries give preference to a one-petal hawthorn. Despite the fact that different types of plants can have differences in their composition, they are all interchangeable and can be used as a medicine.

Conclusion

Now you know what the hawthorn is, the kinds and varieties of it we called, described. They also talked about how this plant is used in medicine, how to dry it and use it.