Hawthorn Trees (Crataegus)

Buying Large Hawthorn Trees Online:

Pre-Order Bareroot Hawthorn Trees For 2025/26 Winter Planting Season

Ornamental Midland Hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, is a wiry, tough, extremely hardy native tree, with profuse flowers on its arching stems.

Crimson Cloud & Paul's Scarlet both have red flowers, Rosea Flore Pleno is pink, and Plena has double white flowers. They are able to thrive almost anywhere and should grow well in paved urban areas.

Strictly speaking, these flowering garden hawthorn varieties are classified Crataegus x media, meaning crosses of Crataegus laevigata and Crataegus monogyna, but as is often the case with plant classifications, nurseries and gardeners tend to stick to the familiar names.

All grow to about 8 metres tall, are fairly upright in habit and always respond well to pruning.

• Uses: Small Garden, Urban, Coastal
• Good Points: Native, profuse flowers, almost year-round interest
• Position: Almost anywhere
• Growth: 40-50cm per year

What size Hawthorn trees should I buy?

• If you are not in a hurry to get a full sized Hawthorn tree, we recommend starting with the smaller 6/8cm girth size.
• If you are in a hurry and need instant impact, then go for the 8/10cm girth size.

Standard trees are measured by their girth 1 metre above the ground, and young saplings are measured by height.

Therefore, a 6/8cm Standard Hawthorn tree is much bigger than an 60/80cm sapling Hawthorn tree. If a tree is available in both sizes, it will be noted in the product descriptions.

For a Hawthorn hedge, use Crataegus monogyna: Britain's most widely used thorny country hedge plant - which also produce abundant, but simpler flowers.

Browse our other Ornamental Trees.

• When your order is ready: your mail order trees are delivered by next working day courier (not the next working day after ordering!)
• Friendly support: if there is anything wrong with your plants when you inspect them, Contact Us within 5 working days

All bareroot plants are covered by our Refund Guarantee, so you can give them a whirl with complete confidence.

Hawthorn is a medium-sized, bushy screening tree that provides excellent habitat for small birds like sparrows. It is suitable for most challenging spots, tolerating dappled shade, poor or flood-prone soil, and exposed coastal sites. Old hawthorn trees are great characters, all gnarled and twisted with plenty of crevices for wildlife.

"Of all the trees that grow so fair, Old England to adorn, Greater are none beneath the Sun, Than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn."
Rudyard Kipling

Where to plant a hawthorn tree?

Whether you choose bare root or pot grown, plant the hawthorn as soon as possible. Dig a large hole twice the width and depth of the roots making sure to use Rootgrow. If the soil is compacted, consider digging it over gently to allow for easier planting. Watch our video on how to plant a country hedge for more advice.

Is hawthorn a shrub or a tree?

Depending on the species, Hawthorn can be grown as trees, hedges and shrubs. Opt for the Crataegus laevigata Plena (English Double White) for a medium-sized tree ideal for nesting birds. It’s stunningly similar in flower and fragrance to wild roses. For something a little more unusual, try Crataegus laevigata (Crimson Cloud) for a tree with profuse red flowers in May.

Are hawthorn berries edible?

Hawthorn carries masses of red berries called haws, from late summer right through to mid-autumn. As the berries darken they attract native garden birds, but if you pick them early they have a clean, sharp flavour, ideal for making syrups and blending your own gin. Hawthorn berries are also used as a herbal remedy for high blood pressure.

Are hawthorns related to roses?

Yes, hawthorns are related to the rose. Hawthorn is the common name for most members of the Crataegus genus - a widespread genus in the rose (Rosaceae) family.