The Hawthorn is a popular native deciduous hedging plant also known as Quickthorn or May Blossom or May Thorn or May Flower.
Step One
The Hawthorn is a popular native deciduous hedging plant also known as Quickthorn or May Blossom or May Thorn or May Flower. The clues are in the names - its thorny and it flowers in May. It heralds the arrival of spring, by bursting into leaf within a few days of the initial buds appearing, has an abundant and spectacular display of white scented blossom, and it develops glossy red haws in autumn, which sustain our native birds (especially starlings, thrushes, blackbirds and redwings) and Hawthorn supports more than 150 species of insect, a rich food source for birds such as wrens and blue tits. Dense branches covered with sharp thorns provide a safe place to roost and nest.
Step Two
The leaves are 3,5 or 7 lobed, bright green tinged with red. It is quite fast growing (approx 45cm p.a.) so it needs to be trimmed after flowering or in the autumn. Hawthorn is suitable for ALL soil types and ALL sites other than dense shade or very wet soils. According to the Woodland Trust, Hawthorn is the second most advantageous plant for wildlife, beaten only by English oak and there are literally millions of miles of hawthorn hedgerow in our countryside.
Step Three
Its best to plant Bare Root hedging in a double staggered row, and Pot Grown / Rootballed hedging in a single row.
Bare Root. - When planting smaller (60cm and below) plants you will need 6 plants per metre, and for the medium size (60cm and above) you will need 5 per metre, and for the larger size (90cm and above) plants you will need 4.5 per meter.