We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Grow Hawthorn Hedges?

By Sandi Johnson
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,082
Share

Hawthorn hedges are trees or shrubs common to the northeastern United States, Canada, Africa, western Asia, and Great Britain and other areas of Europe. Specific methods for growing hawthorn vary, depending on geographic location and intended appearance. Also known as Crataegus monogyna, common hawthorn can be grown as either trees or hedges. Laying hedges is a traditional practice involving stripping buds and bending shoots to form a thick hedge row that serves as a livestock fence. The practice takes considerable experience and knowledge of proper pruning and angles.

To grow hawthorn hedges, you must first choose whether to grow from seed or cutting. Seeds germinate sporadically and may take up to 18 months to sprout. Growing hawthorn hedges from cuttings taken from healthy plants offers the highest success rate for propagation. Grafting is a viable option if an existing hedge begins to fail. Keep in mind the cause of original hedge failure prior to grafting, as diseases are common and can infect grafts.

If starting from seed, a seedbed or individual pots are preferable, as are cold frames and early fall planting schedules. Saplings should be removed from seedbeds within the first two years of growth. Potted saplings should remain in pots for at least one year after sprouting before transplanting to a seedbed for an additional year. Alternatively, potted saplings may be planted directly into the permanent site selected for the hawthorn hedges.

While saplings are growing and maturing, growers should select the site for permanent planting. Moist, fertile, loamy soil is preferable for hawthorn hedges. Direct sunlight produces a higher fruit yield, although partial shade is acceptable. Heavy shade is not recommended, as hawthorn hedges cannot thrive in full shade conditions.

Note that hawthorn hedges are susceptible to numerous diseases and many of the same pests as apple trees. Take appropriate precautions to protect saplings, including drip irrigation to reduce the spread of ground-based diseases. Screen coverings and companion plantings help to reduce the attraction of pests. After the first two years of growth are complete, the hedges are ready to be manipulated into hedgerows for livestock fencing, a practice known as laying hedges.

Creating a fence-like hedge with hawthorn involves snedding. Snedding is the word used to describe trimming excess shoots and buds from main stems in preparation for bending. Once side shoots are stripped or snedded, the stem, also known as a pleacher, is bent to one side at a drastic angle. Pleacher tops are tied together to create a dense tangle of branches resembling a screen. As new shoots grow, some are stripped and woven into the screen, while others are allowed to flower and provide greenery.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/how-do-i-grow-hawthorn-hedges.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.