Hawthorn can be grown as a tree or a hedge. As trees, they are small to medium-sized and ideal for your garden. As hedges, they form a dense boundary that blossoms and supports wildlife.
How fast do hawthorn bushes grow?
This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24″ per year.
What are hawthorn bushes good for?
In the garden, you can use them as a trimmed hedge, as an open hedge or as a small ornamental tree. Hawthorns provide shelter and food for insects, birds, and small mammals. There are many varieties, some with double flowers. They are very decorative and beautiful.
Where is the best place to plant a hawthorn tree?
Hawthorns aren’t too fussy over their position – they will grow in open, sunny sites or partial shade. They prefer a well-drained soil enriched with lots of organic matter, which holds plenty of moisture in spring and summer, doesn’t dry out or become waterlogged.
Does hawthorn make a good hedge? – Related Questions
How long does a hawthorn hedge take to establish?
Keep well watered and seeds will germinate in around 18 months.
How long does it take to grow a hawthorn hedge?
As it grows quickly – between 40-60cm per year – it should be trimmed after flowering, or during the autumn, but you must check for nesting birds before doing so. Hawthorn is available as a bare root, root ball and pot grown plant, as well as instant hedging for immediate impact.
Can you plant hawthorn next to House?
2) Hawthorn
Aesthetically, they’ll look great alongside a building. They’re a good choice in practical terms, too, thanks to their relatively diminutive size when compared to some other trees.
Do hawthorn trees need a lot of water?
Water during dry spells: Mature hawthorn trees are drought-tolerant and do not need much water apart from rain. Once the plant has established roots, you only need to water it during dry spells in the growing season.
How far do hawthorn tree roots spread?
Tree roots spread up to three times the height of the tree. The actual distance they grow depends on the species. For example, the roots of a birch tree may grow anything up to 10 metres. Cherry tree, hawthorn and rowan tree roots tend to grow up to 11 metres, whilst plane and beech tree roots can reach 15 metres.
What does a hawthorn tree look like in winter?
The hawthorn is a small tree that shines in winter, with red berries and peeling silver-gray bark. The hawthorn tree is decked out in small white blossoms and glossy medium-green leaves in the spring.
How far apart do you plant hawthorn hedge?
Plant 9-12ins (23-30cm) apart or for a denser or stock-proof hedge plant in a staggered double row with 15ins (38cm) between rows and 18ins (45cm) between plants.
How often should you cut a hawthorn hedge?
Pruning of hawthorn hedges is best performed when the shrub is dormant, i.e during the winter season. The reason you would want to prune your hedge during winter is to encourage a stronger blossom the following spring. Trim your Buxus plant at least 2 times a year.
Is hawthorn a tree or a bush?
Hawthorn (Crataegus) are small to medium trees many of which are suitable for exposed sites and smaller gardens. Dwarf varieties can also be grown as large shrubs in borders.
Are hawthorn berries poisonous to dogs?
Hawthorn berries are quite safe for your dog to eat and are used in herbal medicine as a tonic for the heart and was traditionally used to help with a number of heart problems.
Is hawthorn an invasive plant?
Somewhat tolerant of shade as well as drought, common hawthorn invades both open fields and woodlands in Washington, Oregon and California.
How do you train a hawthorn hedge?
To prune your Hawthorn into a tree, simply remove the lower branches with a sharp pruning saw to reveal a single trunk. During the second year of planting, between February and March, is the recommended time for hard pruning Hawthorn hedges. Cut back growth by half during these months to encourage new growth.
How long do hawthorn hedges live?
Hawthorn may be able to live for 400 years, although 250 may be more typical on many sites. All hawthorn will be ancient from 225 years onwards, although many will have ancient characteristics from around 175 years.
How do you fill gaps in hawthorn hedge?
For deciduous hedges such as beech and hawthorn, you are best to the winter and obtain bare root or root-wrapped plants to instantly fill the gaps in the autumn, plants can be planted in the spring and summer as pot plants but are normally more expensive.
How do you take care of a hawthorn hedge?
Trim the sides of your hawthorn hedge when they look ragged in autumn and keep the tops reasonably level at the same time. Try to clip your hedge to a tapered shape – all hedges whether native or formal should be wider at the bottom than at the top to let light get to the lower branches and keep them leafy.
Is hawthorn easy to grow?
Hawthorn are not particularly demanding to grow, but ensure that they are kept moist at all times.