Mystery trees could be a variety of hawthorn

Q: Recently my wife and I went to the restaurant Vinaigrette on Central Avenue, just outside of Old Town, and my wife noticed some trees planted there. She’s a “plantaholic” and was taken to her happy place, admiring these truly lovely trees planted on the northwest corner of the property. They are covered now with the brightest red berries I’ve ever seen, and the leaf color, which is going to be very pretty, is just starting to change for the season. We were also very startled by the thorns the trees are wearing, some nearly four inches long. Do you know what type of trees these might be? — J.A., Albuquerque

A: I am in that part of town regularly and, while on an errand, did get a chance to check these guys out. Man, they are nifty trees.

Like you said, right now they are covered with bright red berries galore. The birds must like them because the sidewalks are wearing a lot of bird poop. But, birds gotta eat too and to have such a marvelous feast available, it’s a good thing.

The foliage is coloring up nicely. The oranges, red-orange and fading greens are very much a visual treat. You are right about the thorns these trees wear. Wicked three-to-four-inch thorns — just amazing.

Also, where you have berries there must have been gobs of flowers in the spring. That makes a great source of food for bees and other pollinators.

I’m thinking they are a variety of hawthorn (Crataegus), but I have no clue as to which one. In the “Western Garden Book” there are 10 varieties and hybrids listed, all of which seem to zone here in this climate. The descriptions hold fast to this being them. The biggest caveat being to keep them growing on a bit of the dry side so as to not encourage rank growth.

The Hawthorn is susceptible to a disease called fireblight which is a bummer for such pretty trees.

I hope you both noticed a big thing about the where these guys are planted. Did you notice there is a wall on the south side of the trees? In other words, they aren’t standing in the full hot sun all day long. There is a certain amount of shading, especially offered to the trunks. I’m thinking they’d be a great tree to have growing as an understory tree in these parts.

In my brief look-see, I couldn’t tell how they are watered, but they sure seem to have it dialed in. I’m going to aim to find out which variety they are and will keep you posted. Anyone out there know?

In my opinion this hawthorn, if I’m correct, seems to have the wherewithal to do well here with certain conditions and as long as you wouldn’t mind a bit of seasonal cleanup, they seem to be very nifty trees. I’m going to keep an eye on them as the seasons progress, especially next spring when I’m confident they’ll be awash with flowers.

Thanks for opening my eyes to a tree I’ve never noticed.

Q: I am planning on planting two pots of pansies this weekend. I figure I still have time even though it got pretty cold last week. Will you teach me how to feed them all winter so they stay healthy? Thanks. — P.F., Albuquerque

A: Here’s what I was taught on the care and tending of those winter wonders called pansies.

First, the soil. If the pots you plan to use have soil that is two growing seasons old, then I will suggest fresh potting soil. Remember that in pots, you use potting soil. Not garden soil sold in garden centers and nurseries as garden additives. Use straight potting soil.

Next, I was taught to add a product like bone meal or super phosphate to the top-most layer of the pots’ soil and give it a gentle stir to incorporate it into the pots.

As you are planting the pansies, make sure that they are set deep enough to cover all the roots, but not too deep so they are buried. You can sprinkle a scant tablespoon of the bone meal/super phosphate into the planting hole remembering to barely cover it with a little soil, then plant the pansy in that hole. Scooch the soil snugly around each plant, then give the pots a gentle and complete watering. You want them to be completely drenched wet.

Three-to-four weeks later, offer the plantings a fertilization that has a high nitrogen content. Lawn food, as long as it doesn’t contain a weed killer, works great, making sure to water that in. The nitrogen offered will assist the pansies to stay “warmer” through the cold weather.

Put your pots on a regular watering schedule so they are never allowed to dry out, remembering that if it’s going to get wicked cold, you make sure the pots are watered beforehand. I’ve gotten into the habit of covering my pansy pots nightly to offer a bit of extra frost prevention, but pansies are very sturdy, so that’ll be up to you. Pansy planting is simple as long as you start them with some phosphorus to encourage the roots and then during the winter months the nitrogen to help keep them warm. Just remember to water.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.