Azarole Geraki

An improved cultivar of the Mediteranean hawthorn or azarole, Crataegus azarolus Geraki is a small to medium-sized, hardy, deciduous tree, up to 33’/10m tall, with white flowers in April and May which are good for pollinators. The fruit is like that of Irish whitethorns (haws) but larger and lighter red, with a pleasant, acid-sweet taste when grown in hotter climates. However, it does not ripen fully in Ireland, but it can be used for cooking and preserving. It has also traditionally been used as a heart tonic in herbal medicine. Can be grown as part of a fruiting hedge.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any well-drained soil
Position: Full sun; tolerates partial shade
Keep: Azarole fruits do not keep, but can be dried
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Uses: Cooking and preserving