Hawthorn | Quick Growing Hedge | Crataegus Monogyna | 50+ seeds

INSTRUCTIONS - TO SAVE PAPER I NO LONGER SEND OUT WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMERS. INSTRUCTIONS ARE BELOW SO PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS PAGE.

Named after the month in which it blooms and a sign that spring is turning to summer, the pale green leaves of this iconic hedgerow staple are often the first to appear in spring, with an explosion of pretty pale-pink blossom in May. It simply teems with wildlife from bugs to birds. Hawthorn is a pagan symbol of fertility and has ancient associations with May and in the Middle Ages it was put to all kind of uses - as well as being Shakespeare's most mentioned plant - in 5 plays!

All that old stuff aside, Hawthorn is an incredibly useful plant today as a native hedging - easy to maintain, hedging plant, loved by birds, insects and other small animals...but loathed by intrusive livestock and wannabe burglars! It also make a great bonsai specimen. 

Germination Guide: 2 ways - natural and artificial

Natural

• Sow in trays of compost, and cover with approx a cm on compost.
• Leave outside over winter or in an unheated shed/greenhouse
• If outside, cover to protect tray from animals
• In spring move to a bright spot

Artificial Method (more controllable)

• Mid the seeds with some moist but not wet potting compost
• Place in a  zip lock bag
• Place at bottom of fridge for 2-3 months "cold stratification"
• After stratification, sow seeds in trays of moist compost
• Place in a warm place out of direct sun - circa 15-22c
• Pot on seedlings once large enough to handle