Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn is a fast-growing hedge plant, usually putting on 30 to 60cm a year once established. A hedge planted from bare-root whips is typically thick and stockproof within three to five years. Watering in the first two summers and keeping the base weed-free help it establish quickly.

Bare-root hawthorn whips are usually planted at around 5 per metre in a staggered double row, or 3 to 4 per metre in a single row. Larger root-balled plants are spaced by width, at 100 divided by the width in cm, so a plant 50cm wide goes in at 2 per metre. The team confirms spacing for each order.

Quickthorn is simply another name for common hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna, used especially for hedging. The name refers to how quickly it grows into a living, or quick, hedge. It is also known as whitethorn and May.

Clip a formal hawthorn hedge in late summer, after the main bird nesting season, with an optional light trim in winter. For a wildlife hedge, cut in winter every two or three years so it flowers and fruits well. Always check for nesting birds before cutting between March and August.

Yes, hawthorn makes an excellent security and stockproof hedge because its stems carry sharp thorns and it grows very dense when clipped. Planted in a staggered double row and trimmed regularly, it forms a barrier that people and animals avoid. It is a traditional choice for field and garden boundaries.

Yes, hawthorn thrives in heavy clay and is one of the best hedging plants for difficult ground. It also grows well on chalk, sand and soil that is wet in winter, and copes with exposed and coastal sites. Improving the planting trench with some organic matter helps young plants settle in.

No, hawthorn is deciduous and loses its leaves in winter. A well-clipped hawthorn hedge is so dense and twiggy that it still gives a good screen through winter. For year-round leaf cover, consider yew, holly or Portuguese laurel.

Hawthorn is not considered a significantly poisonous plant, and the haws are widely eaten by birds. The seeds, like those of many plants in the rose family, contain compounds that are best not eaten in quantity, and the sharp thorns can cause injuries. If you are worried your dog has eaten a large amount of any plant, contact your vet.

A hawthorn hedge is easily kept anywhere from about 1.2 to 3m (4 to 10 ft) with regular clipping. If left unclipped, hawthorn grows into a small tree of around 8 to 10m. Its tolerance of hard pruning makes it simple to keep at the height you want.

The best time to plant a hawthorn hedge is the dormant season, roughly November to March, when bare-root plants are available. Root-balled hawthorn is planted from around October or November to March, and pot-grown plants can go in all year with regular watering.

The cost of a hawthorn hedge depends on the height, the format and the tier you choose. Value hedging uses younger bare-root, root-balled or pot-grown plants for an affordable hedge that knits together over a few seasons, while Premium hedging uses fuller, more mature plants and ready-made hedge elements for a finished look straight away. Live prices for each size are shown on this page, and the team confirms the spacing and final price for every order.

Yes. You are welcome to visit our Row Town showroom in Surrey, open Monday to Saturday and on bank holidays and closed on Sundays, to see hedging in person. You can also book a Genus Bar appointment at formplants.com/genus-bar for dedicated one-to-one time with the team to plan quantities and sizes.