Crataegus monogyna Flexuosa

Crataegus monogyna 'Flexuosa' is a variety of White Hawthorn that is characterised by its small size and very twisted vegetation, composed of corkscrew branches adorned with strangely congested and frizzy leaves. Its habit itself seems constrained, giving this plant a special charm. Like the native species, the bush produces white flowers in May and red berries in autumn. A rare variety that will delight collectors and enthusiasts.

Crataegus monogyna, known as Single-style Hawthorn, One-style Hawthorn, or White Thorn, is a species native to central and southern Europe. In the wild, this small tree grows in deciduous or mixed forests, in open woods, on the edge, or even in open terrain (meadow). Ornamental and ecological, hawthorn is ideal in a hedgerow or natural hedge. It belongs to the large family of Rosaceae. It is a thorny shrub with a long lifespan, with very hard wood, reaching 10 m in height and 6 m in spread at maturity, with a bushy, dense, sometimes slightly untidy habit.

'Flexuosa' is a very rare cultivar of this native hawthorn discovered by Mr. Smith of Ayr Nurseries before 1839. It is a dwarf and twisted form, not to be confused with Crataegus monogyna var. tortuosa, which can reach 4 m high. 'Flexuosa' only grows 10 cm per year and reaches about 2 m high and 1 m in spread at the age of 25. The shrub has a very irregular upright habit, strongly twisted branches, and strangely incurved leaves. The trunk bark is grey-brown, becoming scaly over time, and its short stems bear thorns. Its foliage is deciduous, absent in winter. It consists of simple leaves, smaller than those of the species, deeply divided into 5 to 7 dentate lobes, slightly curled and twisted. The leaf veins are divergent. The leaves are dark green, with a duller underside, turning yellow in autumn before falling. In May-June, white, simple, fragrant flowers appear, grouped in dense, flat corymbs of 6 to 12. The flower corollas have 5 rounded petals and numerous stamens with light pink anthers that turn purple. The flowers measure 1 to 2 cm in diameter and are loved by bees. In September-October, numerous red fruits with a single stone called "haws" are observed, measuring 6 to 10 mm in length. These round berries are consumed by birds.

Crataegus monogyna 'Flexuosa' is a grafted plant that adapts to any well-drained soil, even limestone, in a sunny or semi-shaded position. With its very modest growth and fantastic silhouette, even in the heart of winter, it will be a welcome addition to a container, on a terrace, or prominently displayed in a small urban garden. To enhance it, you can plant Snow-in-Summer, small-flowered periwinkles, or 'Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens with black foliage at its base. Fans of twisted small trees will also appreciate the contorted hazel Corylus avellana 'Contorta', the hybrid Peking willow Salix erythroflexuosa, Robinia pseudoacacia 'Twisty Baby', or the contorted lemon tree Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'.

Nota: The White Thorn hybridises with Crataegus laevigata (Midland Hawthorn). It was formerly associated with May 1st. It was used as a calming agent to treat gout and pleurisy in the Middle Ages. Be careful of overdosing, which can cause cardiovascular problems. Its wood is used for heating and in small carpentry.

The term monogyna comes from the Latin "monogunus", which means "with a single style". This criterion distinguishes this variety from Crataegus laevigata, which has 2 or 3 styles (pistils) and therefore 2 or 3 stones in the fruit.