What is Hawthorn Hedging?
Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, also known as Quickthorn or Whitethorn, is the most widely used hedge plant in the UK, equally at home as a stock proof farm hedge or in the inner city.
It is the backbone of mixed country hedging and conservation hedging; our Countryside Stewardship Grant Essential mix is half Hawthorn, half Blackthorn.
Hawthorn has all the virtues you look for in secure hedging: fast growing, incredibly tough, happy in almost any soil, easy to clip, and so dense that even in winter when it is leafless, a well-grown hawthorn hedge is almost impossible to see through.
It produces masses of simple, white blossom in mid-spring. The glossy green foliage looks good all summer, and in autumn it's decked with bunches of bright red haws.
- Uses: Country and stockproof hedges from 100cm upwards
- Good Points: Native, cheap, bomb-proof, almost year-round interest
- Position: Almost anywhere
- Growth: 40-50cm per year
You can also buy larger ornamental Hawthorn trees.
How many Hawthorn hedge plants do I need?
The planting density for your Hawthorn hedge depends on the purpose:
- For a normal garden boundary hedge, plant at 3 plants per metre (every 33cm) in a single row.
- A stock-proof country hedge requires 2 staggered single rows (i.e. start one row 16.5cm after the other), with 40cm between rows. That works out at 6 plants per metre in total.
What size Hawthorn hedge plants should I buy?
- If you are not in a hurry to get a full sized Hawthorn hedge, we recommend starting with the smallest sizes, either 40/60cm or 60/80 tall.
- If you are in a hurry and need instant impact, or are filling gaps in an existing hedge, then of course pick the biggest size that fits your budget.
Smaller plants are cheaper, easier to plant, and tend to establish better because they are dug up with most of their roots intact.
You can also clip them attentively and ensure a very bushy plant from the base up.
Buying Hawthorn Hedging
Your hawthorn hedge plants are delivered by mail order direct from our nursery, along with expert advice, friendly support, plus our Bareroot Replacement Guarantee and Free Returns, so you can give them a whirl with complete confidence.
Browse our range of hedging plants, many of which can be interplanted with Hawthorn for more variety: have a look at our mixed hedge packs for inspiration.