Side by side
Midland hawthorn or firethorn? How to tell them apart
Crataegus laevigata · Pyracantha
How to tell them apart – Midland hawthorn: hawthorn with a shallowly lobed, glossy leaf and haws with two or three stones, flowers a little earlier than common hawthorn; firethorn: evergreen, unlobed leaf and orange or red berries in dense clusters.
How do you recognise them?
- Midland hawthorn
- Hawthorn with a shallowly lobed, glossy leaf and haws with two or three stones; flowers a little earlier than common hawthorn.
- Firethorn
- Evergreen, thorny shrub with masses of orange, red or yellow berries in autumn.
- Compared with Midland hawthorn: evergreen, unlobed leaf and orange or red berries in dense clusters.
| Midland hawthorn | Firethorn | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 2–5 cm, obovate with 3–5 shallow, rounded and finely toothed lobes; glossy dark green. | Alternate, small (2–5 cm), glossy and finely toothed. |
| Flowering | Clusters of white flowers with 2–3 styles, in April–May (May). | Clusters of white flowers in May–June (May–June). |
| Fruit | Dark red haws 8–12 mm across with 2–3 stones. | Orange, red or yellow berries in dense clusters, lasting well into winter. |
| Bark | Grey-brown, smooth to finely scaly; twigs with thorns 0.5–2 cm long. | Branches with sharp thorns. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 4–8 m, often a shrub or hedge | Shrub, 2–4 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for bees and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | June–September and November–March | May–August |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Midland hawthorn is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Midland hawthorn
- Plant profile: Firethorn
- Midland hawthorn: when and how to prune
- Firethorn: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Hawthorn or Midland hawthorn
- Cotoneaster or firethorn
- Hawthorn or firethorn
- Flowering quince or firethorn
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.