Crataegus Monogyna

Common Name: Whitethorn,  Hawthorn, May Flower, May Blossom

SEE IMAGES OF WHITETHORN:

Whitethorn Shape & Size
Final Height:  800cm
Final Spread:  600cm
Growth Rate:  Slow to Moderate
Type:  Informal Hedge / Medium Tree
Habit Low Spreading Tree / Irregular canopy shape

Whitethorn Features:

Foliage: Deciduous
Colour:  Glossy green in spring, turning deeper in summer. In autumn leaves turn brown & fall
Shape: Simple. Ovate leaves which are deeply lobed.
Stem: Greyish in colour with sharp thorns found all along it. Bark cracks and ripples with old age

Whitethorn Flower: An abundance of small flowers appear in spring.
Colour: Creamy White
Time: May
Fragrance: Pungent
Berries: In Autumn plants are laden with red berries which is great for birds

Whitethorn Location
Uses: Can be grown to form low, informal native hedging or mixed with a range of other native hedgerow plants
Aspect: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil: Well Drained / Light & Clay Soils
pH: Alkaline / Acidic
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Companion plants: Hazel, Holly, Blackthorn, Ash, Willow, Beech, Guilder Rose

Whitethorn Information
Being one of the most common plants in Ireland, The whitethorn is very familiar not only with gardeners but also with a diverse range of birds and mammals that live amongst and feed off its autumn berries. The whitethorn has up to 146 dependent insect species making it a crucial part of our natural environment and just goes to show why our native hedgerows are so crucial.
Whitethorn can be used in the garden to create an informal hedge, to create a secure site boundary hedging, to form a simple backdrop to planting or to create a wild life friendly area within your garden. The plant has something to offer with each season and is a worthy addition to a rural or cottage garden, so long as you have the space