Hawthorn Bare Root Hedge Plant (Crataegus monogyna)

Name: Hawthorn Bare Root Hedge Plant (Crataegus monogyna)
SKU: HHG-BR-HAWTHORN
Price: 8.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

£8.95

The structural backbone of the classic British countryside hedge.

Hawthorn gives dense, protective thorns for nesting birds, heavy white blossom in late spring and deep red haws in autumn. Traditionally gathered for flowers, leaves and berries, it is the foundation plant of any healing hedgerow.

Flowers: May
Harvest: Blossom in spring, haws in autumn
Wildlife: Nesting birds, bees and pollinators
Supplied as: a single field-grown bare root plant

Seasonal shipping notice
Bare root plants are despatched only in the dormant season, November to February, so they arrive asleep and establish strongly in spring.

Planting a full hedge? Hawthorn is included (x2) in our Native Heal Foragers Hedge – Living Hedgerow Collection, which works out better value per plant.

Botanical name: Crataegus monogyna

Common name: Hawthorn, Common Hawthorn, May, Quickthorn

Life cycle: Deciduous native shrub or small tree

Height: 4–6m if left unclipped; easily kept at 1.2–2m as a hedge

Spread: Up to 4m unclipped

Flowers: White, May

Position: Full sun or partial shade

Soil: Almost any soil, including clay

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Suitable for containers: Not ideal long term; best in the ground

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Pollinator value: Very high – blossom for bees, haws for birds, thorny shelter for nesting

Planting

Location: Sun or partial shade. Tolerates exposed and windy sites.

Planting time: November to March while the plant is dormant, whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour before planting.

Spacing: For a hedge, plant 5–7 per metre in a single row, or 30–45cm apart in a staggered double row.

Care

Watering: Water well after planting and during dry spells in the first spring and summer.

Feeding: Not usually needed. A mulch of compost around the base in spring helps establishment.

Pruning: For a dense hedge, cut back by about a third after planting. Trim established hedges after birds have finished nesting, ideally late summer or winter.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: Gather young leaves and blossom in spring, and red haws from September to October once fully ripe.

Storage: Dry blossom and leaves somewhere airy out of sunlight and store in an airtight jar. Haws can be used fresh or dried.

UK Growing Conditions

One of the toughest native plants in the UK, happy from coastal gardens to cold northern sites.

Culinary Uses

Ripe haws are traditionally made into jellies, ketchups and fruit leathers. Young spring leaves were once eaten as 'bread and cheese'. Remove the seeds from haws before use.

Traditional Herbal Uses

Hawthorn blossom, leaves and berries have a long history in European herbal tradition, particularly in teas and tinctures. Anyone taking heart or blood-pressure medication should speak to a doctor before using hawthorn.

Please note: Traditional uses are included for cultural and educational interest and are not medical advice. This product is sold as a garden plant. Seek professional advice before using any plant medicinally.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

The thorny branches give safe nesting sites for birds. The May blossom feeds bees and other pollinators, and the haws feed thrushes and blackbirds through winter.

Bare root plants: Bare root plants are lifted from the field while dormant and despatched only between November and February. Orders placed now are reserved and sent at the right planting moment, with an email beforehand giving your delivery window.

On arrival: Plant as soon as possible. If you cannot plant straight away, keep the roots moist and wrapped, or heel the plants into a trench of soil until conditions allow.

Other items in your order: Seeds and garden supplies are normally despatched within 2–4 working days.