Common Hawthorn guild?

I have several old Hawthorn trees (Common Hawthorn, I'm pretty sure) and they are the only trees on my 10+ acres of flat, former dairy/pasture land. I would really like to start a forest guild in/by them. I tried, 10 years ago, to start some Oregon Grape, knowing of it's great medicinal properties. Unfortunately they did not make it, and that seems very strange, because Oregon Grape loves the Pacific Northwest. I wonder if there is something about Hawthorn that limit what will grow under them? I have some primroses doing well, and a volunteer alder, and of course Evergreen and Himalayan blackberries do well also (on the southern exposure). Any thoughts about whether I should try Oregon Grape again? How about what else I might try.  Thank you

I don’t think hawthorn is allelopathic - It was traditionally used in mixed hedgerows.
How did the oregon grape fail? Have you ruled out transplant shock, lack of water in the first summer?
If you want to try again, maybe try from seed? The fruits tend to be plentiful, and if you plant them in the fall, they might do better than a transplant come spring.
How big are the hawthorns? Are they shrubby, or larger trees? Maybe currents or gooseberries would do well in the shade?

Thank you Lina. They are larger trees, several in a line running east to west. I like the idea of currents/gooseberries. Could be they did not get enough water after the first summer; lost track of them. I will try to start with seeds/berries late this fall.

I'm not sure of the culture requirements of Oregon grape, but on my property in the PNW they grow wild in the native forested parts. I have not seen them trying to grow in more open sunny parts, including under my one hawthorn tree. Mostly I see them in association with the native conifers.

It is probably worth trying them again, especially if you lost track of them the first time :)  but maybe try starting a few in shade under conifers as well? Just in case the habitat is the problem.

Huh! Here in the midatlantic, they are grown as an ornamental quite often in full sun. Perhaps the difference in humidity, etc. between the coasts is such that their wild habitat is shadier. Interesting thought - and a good reminder to try plants in different niches, especially when you are outside their wild range!

There are multiple types of Oregon grape... I wonder which type you planted. Tall Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium prefers drier sunnier conditions though it handles semi-shade okay. Low Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa on the other hand grows in forest conditions and loves shade and doesn't do well out in the open. There is also Creeping Oregon Grape, Mahonia repens which grows in dry and cooler areas. Here in western WA we have the tall and low Oregon grapes but I haven't seen the creeping one and it sounds like it's generally found east of the Cascade Mountains.

There are also several cultivars that are sold in nurseries sometimes under the name Oregon grape. So this is one case where knowing which one you're getting is important since they like different conditions.

Also, Oregon grapes are very sensitive to root disturbance. Often they can be killed when planting if their root tips are disturbed too much.

I've often had to dig holes that stretch out a fair bit horizontally to make room for their roots. This is especially the case with the tall and low Oregon grapes which will both spread underground and send up new growth away from the original plant.

Daron Williams wrote:There are multiple types of Oregon grape... I wonder which type you planted. Tall Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium prefers drier sunnier conditions though it handles semi-shade okay. Low Oregon Grape, Mahonia nervosa on the other hand grows in forest conditions and loves shade and doesn't do well out in the open. There is also Creeping Oregon Grape, Mahonia repens which grows in dry and cooler areas. Here in western WA we have the tall and low Oregon grapes but I haven't seen the creeping one and it sounds like it's generally found east of the Cascade Mountains.

There are also several cultivars that are sold in nurseries sometimes under the name Oregon grape. So this is one case where knowing which one you're getting is important since they like different conditions.

Also, Oregon grapes are very sensitive to root disturbance. Often they can be killed when planting if their root tips are disturbed too much.

I've often had to dig holes that stretch out a fair bit horizontally to make room for their roots. This is especially the case with the tall and low Oregon grapes which will both spread underground and send up new growth away from the original plant.

Good point about the multiple types, Daron. The ones I was referring to, growing naturally in the shade of conifers, are Low Oregon Grape.

I have a Chinese Haw that seems to be doing well with its neighbors including goumi, burdock and comfrey as well as lovage as a ground cover. Zone 9b Northern California.