22 May 2024

Whitethorn

Look out for whitethorn flowers. This year’s display has not been as magnificent as it can be with heavy rain hastening the demise of flowers caught in downpours, while adjacent trees host beautiful sights. Timing of flowering varies within a hedge, which is very useful for associated invertebrates such as hoverflies, bees and moths. Whitethorn supports 62 species of Irish moths. Note where flowering whitethorn is present – none on the body of topped hedges. Please remember when hedge cutting to leave a thorn sapling to grow up in every topped hedge, proving flowers, fruit and perching posts – vital for our native Irish biodiversity.