Parsley, or Parsleyleaf, Hawthorn is a small, deciduous tree or shrub that grows to 25 feet tall, with slender, generally thorny branches and parsley-like foliage. The delicate, white blossoms appear in the spring and are followed by bright red fruits that persist in the fall. This plant grows in partial shade and in a variety of dry soil types, including sandy, loamy, and acid-based.