Midland hawthorn
European hawthorn of woodland edges and hedges; its white April–May flowers yield nectar well in warm weather but little in cool springs.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 2-8 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Midland hawthorn is a shrub or small tree of shady forest edges and old hedges in western and central Europe. Because its flowers have two styles, its fruit usually has two stones; it hybridises easily with the single-stoned common hawthorn. Its white flowers give bees nectar and pollen.
Flowering
It flowers in April–May, one to two weeks before common hawthorn. Nectar secretion depends heavily on the weather: plentiful on warm, humid, calm days, very weak in cool, windy springs. That is why in some years bees show hardly any interest.
Honey and pollen
In favourable years a spring honey dominated by hawthorn is sometimes obtained in Britain and central Europe, but it is not a regular product. The pollen contributes to spring build-up.
Note for the beekeeper
It is not common in Turkey; there the same role is taken by common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and other hawthorn species. The scent of the flowers is distinctive and sharp.