Hawthorn Hedge Plants - Quickthorn Whips & Transplants in packs of 50
Known as Hawthorne, Quickthorn, May, Whitethorn or Thorn Apple Tree - Crataegus monogyna is one of Europe's best native hedge plants. It is as tough as old boots; a Hawthorn hedge will grow anywhere in the UK and in any except the wettest soils. Its many names show that grows well everywhere and it is very useful. Hawthorn hedge plants have been the principal component of nearly all native hedging since the Dark Ages and a Hawthorn hedge is especially effective as a stockproof barrier - its wiry strength resists the strongest cattle and makes it ideal for laying.
These hawthorn hedge plant packs come in two heights - 60/80cms when planted (often known as quickthorn whips) and larger, bushier 90/120cms plants which are transplants. Both heights come in packs of 50 plants. They are especially selected to be close planted as hedging and are not recommended for growing into specimen plants . This is the cheapest way of buying Hawthorn that will produce a good hedge in a couple of years. You can save a bit more money with our smallest size (40-60cms, not sold in packs), which will add about a year to the time your hedge takes to reach a decent size. If you are in a hurry to get a tall hedge, we also sell 120cm+ hawthorn plants - please look at our main Hawthorn Hedging page to see everything.
If you want to plant mixed native hedging, we also sell packs of plants known as Conservation Hedging Mix, containing 50% Hawthorn and five other native hedging shrubs. We determine the mix, but these preselected hedge plant mixes are more economical than making up your own.
Hawthorn was once credited with range of magical powers. Girls who married in Spring carried a branch cut from a Hawthorn hedge for fertility while fisherman took Hawthorn on board to bring them luck and, of course, Hawthorn is still used today to decorate May poles all over Britain. Together with Ash and Oak, Hawthorn was a one of the woodland fairy triad and fairies and elves were often seen when the three trees grew together. A Hawthorn hedge was lucky and a Hawthorn tree would protect your house from evil ghosts. When it grows in the wild, Hawthorn is a small tree with spreading branches. In spring these are almost invisible under a covering of scented single white flowers and they are heavy with red, edible, healthy but rather tasteless haws - fruit of the Hawthorn in autumn that are used in hedgerow jelly. Hawthorn leaves are small, glossy green and three-five lobed.
How to Plant a Hawthorn Hedge
Hawthorn is generally grown as a hedge, planted in a single row at 3 plants per metre, 33cms between each plant. If you want a double row, make them staggered and use 5 plants per metre, with 33cms between each plant in a row and 40cms between each row.
Trim your hedge immediately after planting it: Cut the smaller size hawthorn whips down to half its height, making a sloping cut slightly above an outward facing bud. They will now branch out from there, thickening the base of the hedge.The larger size hawthorn transplants should be reduced by less - 25-30% is plenty.
A hedge pack of 50 plants is enough for 10 metres of double row hedge and about 17 metres of single row.
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