Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

A deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the fruits ripen from Sept to November. The flowers are pollinated by Midges. It is noted for attracting wildlife.

A very easily grown plant, it prefers a well-drained moisture retentive loamy soil but is not at all fussy.

The fruit is not very appetizing raw, it is normally used for making jams and preserves. The fruit can be dried, ground, mixed with flour and used for making bread etc. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter (dependant on cultivar). Young shoots when eaten raw have a pleasant nutty flavour, they are a good addition to the salad bowl.