Lavallée Hawthorn 'Carrierei'

'Carrierei' is one of the most useful and ornamental small trees for the British garden, particularly in urban environments. It is a hybrid hawthorn with an attractive, rounded, and dense crown. One of its greatest assets is its exceptionally long season of interest; its large, glossy, dark green leaves turn to rich orange and red only very late in the autumn, often persisting until December. In late spring, it produces a profusion of large white flowers with pink stamens, which are followed by remarkably large, persistent, orange-red berries (haws) that stay on the tree throughout the winter, providing a festive display and food for local bird populations. It is incredibly tough, hardy (H7), and tolerant of wind, pollution, and heavy soils. It is also heat-tolerant, making it a resilient choice for the changing climate. Because it is small (reaching roughly 7 metres), it is perfect for domestic gardens or as a street tree. The branches have few thorns compared to other hawthorns.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil, including heavy clay.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.