Hawthorn, aka Crataegus spp. I'm also guessing more specifically Crataegus laevigata, but I haven't been near one in thirty years. In the 60's I plucked the flower clusters for bouquets for my Barbie doll. So small clusters, not bigger than a golf ball overall, long thorns.
Ditto to Midland Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata, one of the double red flowered cultivars. 'Paul's Scarlet' is probably the most widely grown of these cultivars, but other similar ones exist.
Interesting that you should ask about hawthorn because yesterday there was an interview with Diana Beresford-Kroeger on The Current on CBC radio. She is the author of many books on plants and has just launched one titled "The Global Forest" in which she discusses, amongst other issues, the medicinal uses of trees. Hawthorn, apparently has a long history in folklore for its use as a medicine. I found it to be a very interesting interview although some of the claims I worry about as they may raise false hopes of cures. Margaret
You've all been very helpful, thank you :) I just never knew that Hawthorn could even be this tall! And you're right, Margaret, hawthorn is really popular here in Eastern Europe during the flu season as an additive to a simple tea. It's also just very pretty, so thanks to everyone again!
