how to plant a hawthorn hedge

If you want a stock proof hedge, plant in a staggered double row at five plants per metre. If your hawthorn hedge is just for screening, then plant in a single row at three plants per metre. It will no longer stop a charging bull, but it will still be dense enough to keep out trespassers and prying eyes.

How far apart do you plant Hawthorn?

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 long does it take to grow a hawthorn hedge?

Growth rate of Hawthorn hedging

Crataegus monogyna is a very fast-growing shrub, achieving around 40 – 60cm growth per year, which explains the name Quickthorn!

When can you plant hawthorn hedge?

Hawthorns are best planted when dormant, from autumn to spring, as bare-root trees or hedging plants.

How do you plant bare-root hawthorn hedge?

Unwrap the bundle of bare-root plants as soon as they arrive and stand them in a bucket of water to dampen the roots. If you can't plant them straight away, heel them in temporarily – dig a hole in a spare area of ground, stand the bundle of plants in it and cover the roots with soil.

Can you keep a hawthorn tree small?

Hawthorns grow 18 to 35 feet tall and up to 30 feet wide, and most need pruning to thin out bushy, multiple stems and to keep the tree smaller overall.

How close to a fence can I plant a hedge?

How far from a wall or fence can I plant them? For Mixed/Traditional hedging 45cm - 60cm (18-24 inches) is adequate. If your planning to grow a tall hedge then slightly more space will be required.

What is the fastest growing hedge?

Leylandii - Green

Leylandii is a fast-growing hedge plant that has the quickest growth rate of approximately 75-90cm per year. Leylandii, also known as Cupressocyparis, is a stunning hedge plant that will add elegance to your garden.

How do you fill gaps in hawthorn hedge?

With a narrow gap, a far quicker solution is to cheat. Remove the dead plant, push in a few rustic poles and weave side-shoots from neighbouring plants through till they meet in the middle. Another alternative is to remove the dead plant and put in a tree instead that grows up above the hedge-line.

Can Hawthorn be grown in pots?

The choices for containers are limited but Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn), Ilex (Holly), Juniperus (Juniper) and Sorbus (Rowan) are all good options.

What plant makes the best hedge?

Leylandii is a conifer that is the fastest –growing, evergreen, hedging plant and will create a hedge quickly. Because it is fast growing, it is generally the cheapest way of forming an evergreen garden hedge and hence the most popular.

How tall do hawthorn bushes grow?

Songbirds love hawthorns, too, and they'll visit often in fall and winter to enjoy the bright-colored berries. Most hawthorn trees grow 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 m.) tall—the perfect size for urban gardens.

How do I make my hedges thicker?

Trim the shrub annually after the third pruning to remove any dead, broken or diseased branches. Remove one-quarter to one-third of the branches each year to encourage thick, healthy interior growth. Cut back any branches that extend past the desired perimeter of the shrub.

Should you soak bare root plants before planting?

Place the root portion of the plant in water and let it soak before you plant - several hours for woody plants; 10-20 minutes for perennials, asparagus, strawberries, etc. This good soaking will help the plant get a better start.

How long can I keep bare root hedging before planting?

Bare root plants

You should keep them in a sheltered, dry and cool location such as a shed or garage, and they can be stored like this for up to a week. After a week, if the conditions of your planting site have still not improved, you will need to temporarily plant your bare root plants.

How long can you keep bare root plants before planting?

Ideally, bare root plants should be planted within 24 hours upon arrival. But if this is not possible there are ways to keep them viable for short periods until you are ready to plant.

Can I cut Indian hawthorn to the ground?

Reducing Size

If the Indian hawthorn has outgrown the space in which it was planted, you can reduce its size by heading back and thinning. Cut the longer, taller branches back to their union with another branch or to a bud. ... Pruning will stimulate growth and the plant will fill in quickly.

How do you care for 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.

How do you care for a hawthorn tree?

They do need full sun, especially if being grown for the edible berries, and good drainage.

Water trees enough to keep the soil moist, not dry or muddy. ...
Keep a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch covering the tree root zone. ...
Fertilize the hawthorn tree with a 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring before new growth starts.

How do I block out my Neighbours view?

Although fences and brick walls can do the trick, adding an extra divider, screen or plant barrier can block your neighbor's two-story view for good. To create your secret retreat, freestanding privacy screens, wood slat partitions and partially enclosed pergolas are effective (and nice to look at).

Can I reduce the height of my Neighbours hedge?

You can only trim up to the property boundary. If you do more than this, your neighbour could take you to court for damaging their property. If you live in a conservation area, or the trees in the hedge are protected by a 'tree preservation order', you might need your council's permission to trim them.

Can my Neighbour cut the top of my hedge?

If you own the tree or hedge

Your neighbour can cut any branches that are overhanging into their garden as long as they only remove the bits on their side of the boundary. If they want you to cut your tree or hedge just because they don't like the way it looks, it's up to you whether you do the work.