Whitethorn is one of those plants that most of us in Ireland know without really thinking about it. Drive along almost any country road and there is a good chance that much of the hedging you see is Whitethorn.
Also known as Hawthorn, Whitethorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a native Irish hedging plant that has been used for generations to create field boundaries, farm hedges and shelter.
It is hardy, fast growing and very good for wildlife. It can be planted on its own to create a traditional Whitethorn hedge or mixed with other native species to create a more diverse native hedge.
If you’re planning a new hedge, here’s what you need to know.
Yes. Whitethorn and Hawthorn are two common names for Crataegus monogyna.
In Ireland, you’ll hear both names used, although Whitethorn is particularly common when talking about hedging plants.
It is a deciduous plant, so it loses its leaves in winter, but its dense branching and thorny growth still provide a strong natural boundary.
In spring, Whitethorn produces masses of small white flowers, followed by the familiar red berries, or haws, later in the year.
Whitethorn isn’t a formal evergreen hedge like Laurel or Portuguese Laurel. Its appeal is very different.
It is a great choice if you want a natural-looking, hardy hedge that fits into the Irish landscape.
Once established, Whitethorn forms a strong, dense hedge and is particularly useful for:
It’s also relatively straightforward to maintain and responds well to pruning.
One of the biggest reasons for choosing Whitethorn is its wildlife value.
The white flowers that appear in spring provide food for bees and other pollinating insects. Later in the year, the red haws provide an important food source for birds.
As the hedge thickens, its dense and thorny branches also provide excellent shelter and nesting habitat.
A mature native hedge isn’t just a boundary. It becomes a small habitat in its own right, providing food, shelter and a protected route for wildlife to move through the landscape.
Whitethorn is most commonly supplied as a bare-root hedging plant, which means it is planted while dormant.
The normal bare-root planting season is from November through to March.
This is also one of the reasons Whitethorn is such an economical choice for longer boundaries. Bare-root plants allow you to establish a substantial hedge without the cost of buying large numbers of potted plants.
Try to plant bare-root Whitethorn as soon as reasonably possible after receiving it.
If you can’t plant immediately, keep the roots covered, cool and protected from drying winds until you’re ready.
For a normal single-row Whitethorn hedge, we recommend approximately 3 plants per metre.
For a thicker hedge, you can plant a staggered double row. This uses more plants but creates a denser hedge as it develops.
With a double row, don’t plant the plants directly opposite each other. Stagger them so that the plants in the second row sit roughly opposite the gaps in the first.
Good preparation makes a big difference, particularly during the first couple of years.
Clear grass and weeds from the planting area before you begin and loosen any heavily compacted soil.
The last point is particularly important. Long grass and weeds compete with newly planted hedging for water and nutrients and can make establishment considerably slower.
Whitethorn is a relatively fast-growing native hedge.
Once established and growing in good conditions, it can make up to approximately 3ft of growth in a year.
Don’t worry if your newly planted hedge doesn’t immediately make that sort of growth. During the first year, much of the plant’s work is happening below ground as the root system establishes.
Keeping the planting area weed-free and making sure the plants don’t dry out during prolonged dry weather will give them the best chance of establishing well.
It can be tempting to leave a young hedge completely alone because you want it to gain height as quickly as possible.
However, some early pruning encourages the plants to branch and helps create a thicker hedge from lower down.
Once the hedge is established, regular trimming can be used to control its height and width.
Remember that established hedges are important nesting sites for birds. Always check carefully for active nests before carrying out hedge cutting or pruning.
Whitethorn is a tough plant and can be a good option for more exposed locations.
We’ve included it among our recommended plants for coastal hedging because, once established, it can cope well with conditions that are more challenging for some ornamental hedging varieties.
If you’re planting particularly close to the coast, take a look at our Guide to Coastal Hedging Plants, where we compare Whitethorn with other options for exposed gardens.
Whitethorn doesn’t have to be planted on its own.
In fact, it is one of the most useful plants for forming the backbone of a mixed native Irish hedge.
It can be combined with plants such as Blackthorn, Hazel and Holly to create a more varied hedge with different flowers, fruits, foliage and wildlife benefits throughout the year.
This works particularly well for farms, larger gardens and biodiversity planting where you want the hedge to look and behave more like a traditional Irish hedgerow.
You can also view our Native Hedging Plants if you’re considering a mixed native hedge.
This really depends on what you want the hedge to do.
If your main priority is a very formal hedge with dense green foliage throughout winter, an evergreen such as Laurel may be more suitable.
If you want a traditional native hedge, particularly for a rural garden, farm boundary or wildlife-friendly planting scheme, Whitethorn is hard to beat.
It gives you spring flowers, autumn berries, excellent wildlife value and a hedge that looks completely at home in the Irish landscape.
Yes. Whitethorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a native Irish species and is one of the most familiar plants found in traditional Irish hedgerows.
Yes. Hawthorn and Whitethorn are both commonly used names for Crataegus monogyna.
Bare-root Whitethorn is normally planted during the dormant season from November through to March.
For a standard single-row hedge, allow approximately 3 plants per metre. For a thicker staggered double row, use approximately 5 plants per metre.
Once established in suitable conditions, Whitethorn can make up to approximately 3ft of growth per year.
No. Whitethorn is deciduous and loses its leaves during winter. Its dense branching still provides structure and some screening when the plant is dormant.
Yes. Whitethorn is an excellent wildlife plant. Its spring flowers support pollinating insects, its autumn berries provide food for birds and its dense thorny branches provide valuable shelter and nesting habitat.
Whitethorn is hardy and can be a good choice for exposed and coastal locations. For very exposed coastal gardens, site conditions should still be considered when choosing the most suitable hedge.
Yes. Whitethorn works particularly well as part of a mixed native hedge alongside species such as Blackthorn, Hazel and Holly.
Whitethorn is an excellent option whether you’re planting a short garden boundary or several hundred metres of new native hedging.
The number of plants you’ll need will depend on the length of the hedge and whether you’re planting a single or staggered double row.
View our Whitethorn Hedging Plants or contact Cullen Nurseries if you’re unsure about quantities, spacing or which type of hedging will work best for your site.
Bare-root season is coming!
Thanks for visiting Cullen Nurseries. Our bare-root and rootballed harvest begins in November, when the trees and hedging are fully dormant and ready to lift.
You can order now to secure your plants.
Lifting fresh from our fields to order means your plants reach you in the best possible condition, ready to plant.
Potted plants are available all year round and can be dispatched now.
Questions? Call us or WhatsApp us, and we’re always happy to help.
