Hawthorn vs Blackthorn: Which Hedging is Right for You?
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If you're planning a native hedge, Hawthorn and Blackthorn are two of the most popular choices in the UK — and for good reason. Both are tough, fast-growing, and brilliant for wildlife. But they're not interchangeable. The right choice depends on what you need your hedge to do.
Here's a straight comparison to help you decide.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Hawthorn is the most widely planted native hedging species in Britain — and arguably the most versatile. It's fast-growing, tolerates most soil types, and provides exceptional wildlife value with blossom in spring, berries in autumn, and dense cover year-round.
Best for:
- Wildlife gardens and rural boundaries
- Mixed native hedgerows
- Farms and field boundaries
- Any gardener wanting quick establishment and year-round interest
Key characteristics:
- Deciduous — loses its leaves in winter but retains some structure
- White blossom (May flower) in spring, red berries (haws) in autumn
- Moderate thorns — stock-proof when well established
- Very fast growing — can put on 40–60cm per year in good conditions
- Tolerates most soils including clay, chalk, and exposed sites
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)
Blackthorn is the go-to choice when security is the priority. Its vicious thorns make it virtually impenetrable, and it forms a dense, wildlife-rich barrier that's extremely difficult to push through — for animals or people.
Best for:
- Stock-proof and security hedging
- Field and farm boundaries where livestock pressure is high
- Wildlife corridors and conservation planting
- Sites where a truly impenetrable barrier is needed
Key characteristics:
- Deciduous — white blossom appears before leaves in early spring (a beautiful effect)
- Produces sloes in autumn — valuable for wildlife and sloe gin!
- Exceptionally sharp, dense thorns — more aggressive than Hawthorn
- Spreads by suckering, which thickens the hedge naturally over time
- Slightly less tolerant of waterlogged soils than Hawthorn
Head-to-Head Comparison
Growth rate: Both are fast, but Hawthorn edges ahead in the first few years.
Security: Blackthorn wins — its thorns are longer and denser.
Wildlife value: Both are excellent. Hawthorn berries feed more bird species; Blackthorn sloes are valuable for insects and small mammals.
Soil tolerance: Hawthorn is more forgiving on wet or heavy soils.
Appearance: Blackthorn has the edge in early spring with its striking white blossom against bare branches. Hawthorn's May blossom is showier overall.
Why Not Both?
Many of the best native hedgerows mix Hawthorn and Blackthorn together — typically 70% Hawthorn and 30% Blackthorn. This gives you fast establishment, excellent security, and maximum wildlife value all in one hedge. It's the approach recommended by most conservation bodies for new native hedgerow planting.
At Stoneybrook Nursery, we supply both species as bare root hedging from November onwards, available in a range of sizes to suit your project. Whether you need a single species or a mixed hedgerow, we can help.