Red Flowering Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’

Red Flowering Hawthorn - Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'

Few deciduous specimens deliver the spring spectacle of Paul's Scarlet, its canopy smothered in deep crimson double blooms with a reliability that mature stock makes immediate. A refined classical form with genuine year-round presence across foliage, flower, and autumn colour.

Why Red Flowering Hawthorn

Spring flowering impact: Dense double blooms in vivid scarlet cover the entire canopy each spring, creating a bold seasonal statement.
Year-round structure: Spring flowers give way to rich summer foliage and warm autumn colour before a clean deciduous winter form.
Proven ornamental pedigree: A long-established cultivar with the track record to justify its place in prestige landscape projects.
Compact, architectural form: Reaches 4–6 metres with a naturally rounded canopy; proportioned for formal compositions without dominating surrounding elements.
Hardy and adaptable: Performs consistently across a broad range of temperate conditions and soil types.

Ideal Applications

Formal avenue planting: Planted in sequence along driveways or paths, Paul's Scarlet delivers a dramatic spring corridor of colour.
Specimen focal point: A single advanced tree commands attention during flowering season and anchors a landscape composition year-round.
Residential and estate entrances: Lends classical character and seasonal distinction to high-end property frontages.
Structured garden frameworks: Integrates cleanly into formal or heritage-influenced landscape designs where refined ornamental trees are required.

Specimen & Installation

Spacing (feature/avenue): 5–6m
Planting Season: Autumn to winter (June–August)
Soil & Drainage: Adaptable to most well-drained soils including clay and loam; tolerates slightly alkaline to neutral pH
Establishment Care: Water deeply and regularly for the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system, reducing frequency once established. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Plant Details

Height: 4–6m
Width: 4–5m
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Native to: Europe (cultivar of British/Western European species)
Flower Colour: Deep crimson-red, double