Rosaceae
200–1000 cm
Hedgerow
White
The 'May blossom' — frothy white flowers smothering ancient hedgerows in spring, with a complex, heady fragrance.
Natural History
The Hawthorn is one of the most important trees and shrubs in the British countryside, and its blossom — known as 'May blossom' — is one of the most evocative sights and scents of the British spring. Dense clusters of small, white, five-petalled flowers smother the thorny branches in April and May, filling the air with a complex, sweet-musty fragrance. The Hawthorn is the backbone of the traditional British hedgerow, providing impenetrable barriers for livestock, nesting sites for birds, and food for an extraordinary range of wildlife. It supports over 300 species of insects, making it one of the most ecologically valuable plants in Britain. The red berries (haws) that follow in autumn are a vital food source for migrating birds.
Habitats
Key Pollinators
Traditional Uses
Haws (berries) are used to make jelly, wine, and ketchup. The flowers can be eaten fresh or made into elderflower-style cordial. The plant is used extensively in traditional herbal medicine for heart conditions.
Did You Know?
A single mature hawthorn tree can support over 300 species of insects — more than almost any other British plant except oak — making it a cornerstone of biodiversity.
Related Species
Bluebell
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Britain's most beloved woodland flower, carpeting ancient forests in a haze of violet-blue each April and May.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
A towering spike of thimble-shaped purple bells, beloved by bumblebees and the source of the heart medicine digitalis.
Wild Garlic
Allium ursinum
Star-shaped white flowers and broad, glossy leaves that fill damp woodland with an unmistakable garlicky scent each spring.