Crataegus laev. 'Paul's Scarlet' - Paul’s Scarlet Hawthorn

Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a hardy ornamental tree renowned for its vivid deep pink-red double flowers.

Its moderate mature size makes it suitable for many gardens where a full-sized parkland tree would be too large. It works particularly well as a lawn specimen, within a large border or repeated along a driveway.

Product Highlights

• Deep pink-red double flowers

• Spectacular late-spring display

• Compact rounded crown

• Fully hardy

• Good tolerance of clay

• Suitable for many medium-sized gardens

• Excellent lawn or border specimen

• Useful for driveways and avenues

• Available in several tree sizes

• Delivery and planting available

Product Information

Feature / Details
Botanical name: Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’
Common name: Paul’s Scarlet hawthorn
Mature height: Approximately 5–8m
Mature spread: Approximately 4–6m
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Annual growth: Approximately 20–40cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowers: Double, deep pink-red
Flowering period: Usually May
Fruit: Sparse or absent
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Soil: Chalk, clay, loam or sand
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Maintenance: Low to moderate

Choose This Tree If You Want

• A compact flowering specimen

• Strong red-pink spring colour

• A traditional ornamental tree

• A lawn or large-border focal point

• A repeated driveway or avenue tree

• A tree that tolerates suitable clay

• A manageable alternative to a large canopy tree

It May Not Be the Best Choice If

• Thorns would create a hazard

• Maximum pollinator value is required

• Abundant berries are wanted

• Evergreen screening is essential

• The planting position is deeply shaded

• The ground is permanently waterlogged

• A very fast-growing tree is required

Choosing Your Tree Size

Feathered trees provide an economical starting point and can be trained into the required form.

Standards and selected standards offer a defined stem and established crown, making them the most versatile choice for lawns and driveways.

Multi-stem trees create a broader naturalistic effect. Larger specimens provide stronger immediate impact but require appropriate lifting, anchoring and irrigation.

Read specimen tree sizes explained and mature trees versus younger trees before ordering.

Supply Form

Depending on size, season and nursery availability, trees may be supplied as:

• Container-grown

• Rootballed

• Feathered

• Standard

• Selected standard

• Multi-stem

• Larger specimen tree

Our rootball versus container-grown guide explains the available supply options.

Actual height, girth, crown form and rootball or container dimensions vary between nurseries. Confirm the individual tree specification before ordering.

Planting Requirements

Plant with the root flare level with the surrounding ground and prepare a broad rooting area.

New trees require:

• Suitable anchoring

• Regular establishment watering

• Mulching and weed control

• Adequate crown and rooting space

• Inspection of stakes and ties

• Protection from damage

• Confirmed access for larger stock

Follow our tree planting and establishment guide.

Specialist specimen-tree delivery and planting is available across North West England.

Pruning and Maintenance

Once a balanced framework has formed, ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ needs relatively little pruning.

Remove dead, damaged, crossing or unsafe growth while cuts remain small. Avoid unnecessary hard pruning because this can reduce flowering and stimulate dense thorny regrowth.

Our RHS Pruning Group 1 guide provides general maintenance guidance.

Wildlife and Practical Considerations

The crown offers nesting and shelter, while the foliage can support invertebrates.

The double flowers are less accessible to insects than single hawthorn blossom, and fruiting is usually sparse. Common hawthorn is therefore the stronger choice for a wildlife-led scheme.

Keep thorny branches away from pedestrian routes, entrances and play areas.

When We Wouldn’t Recommend It

We would not normally recommend ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ where accessible flowers, abundant fruit or maximum native wildlife value are the main objectives.

It is also unsuitable immediately beside children’s play areas or narrow paths where thorny branches cannot be kept safely clear.

Our Recommendation

A selected standard normally provides the best balance between immediate flower impact, manageable handling and successful establishment.

Use a group of matching standards for an avenue or a single well-formed specimen as a lawn or border focal point.

Delivery and Professional Planting

We can install specimen trees at any of the in following postcodes;

BB, BL, CH1 - CH5, CW8, CW9, FY, L, LA1 - LA6, M, OL, PR, SK1 - SK12, WA, & WN.

Please do not purchase if you want the hedging installed outside this area. If you do live outside the area, then please give us a call on 01942 604976 and we can see if it’s possible to do this.

For more information on the tree see the tree specification below. For more information about delivery, access and planting, see the guide below or click here.