When does Arnold hawthorn bloom?

Arnold hawthorn typically flowers in May and June, producing clusters of small white blossoms before its fruit develops later in the season.

What pollinates Crataegus mollis?

Bees, beetles, and flies are the main visitors to the flowers of Crataegus mollis, drawn to the blooms during the spring flowering period.

What growing conditions suit this tree best?

It grows best in full sun with medium soil moisture, and it tolerates both wetter bottomland soils and drier upland sites once established.

What kind of tree is Arnold hawthorn?

It is a deciduous tree with thorny branches, typical of the hawthorn group, reaching small to medium height at maturity.

Is Downy Hawthorn HOA-friendly?

Downy Hawthorn is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Downy Hawthorn

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Crataegus mollis

Last reviewed: October 2026

Crataegus mollis, or Arnold hawthorn, is a small deciduous tree that blooms white flowers in May and June. It thrives in full sun with medium moisture across much of the central and eastern United States.

Downy Hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

180"–360" H × 180"–300" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, IA, IL and 17 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Try it with your yard

Arnold hawthorn is a native deciduous tree that reaches 15-30 feet tall with an equally wide, rounded crown. It produces clusters of white flowers in late spring followed by red berries, and offers good fall color. This hardy tree adapts well to various soil conditions and provides excellent four-season interest.

Growing Downy Hawthorn

Grow Downy Hawthorn in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 360 inches tall and spread 180 to 300 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Downy Hawthorn is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.

Has thorns that may require careful placement away from walkways

Wildlife value

Host plant for spring azure butterfly, gray hairstreak.

The spring flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies for pollination. Birds feed on the red berries in fall and winter, while the dense branching provides nesting sites.

Common questions

When does Arnold hawthorn bloom?: Arnold hawthorn typically flowers in May and June, producing clusters of small white blossoms before its fruit develops later in the season.
What pollinates Crataegus mollis?: Bees, beetles, and flies are the main visitors to the flowers of Crataegus mollis, drawn to the blooms during the spring flowering period.
What growing conditions suit this tree best?: It grows best in full sun with medium soil moisture, and it tolerates both wetter bottomland soils and drier upland sites once established.
What kind of tree is Arnold hawthorn?: It is a deciduous tree with thorny branches, typical of the hawthorn group, reaching small to medium height at maturity.
Is Downy Hawthorn toxic to dogs?: Downy Hawthorn is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Downy Hawthorn toxic to cats?: Downy Hawthorn is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Downy Hawthorn HOA-friendly?: Downy Hawthorn is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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