I find the magic of the Hawthorn at the peak of spring. But, then, it’s May, when the branches of these trees explode into frothy cream, scattering constellations of blooms across the landscape.
I’m stepping into an English fairy tale, just a breath away from the hustle and bustle, drawn into an enchanting dance with nature.
There’s an electrifying energy in the fields, a rhythmic hum, as bees dance their jubilant ballet around the blossoms.
The green around me sparkles as early morning dew clings to the blades of grass. My fingers meet the papery petals of the Hawthorn flower, a sensation as delicate as the first fall of snow.
As I gather Hawthorn flowers for syrup, I become an alchemist. I’m spinning a narrative, continuing an age-old tradition.
The process fills me with a rustic connection to the earth, a tactile joy that my modern, urban life often lacks.
The fragrance of the flowers is mesmerizing. It hints at the syrup’s flavour: a promise of tart sweetness, with whispers of the ripe red berries they’ll soon become.
This alluring scent invites me to linger, savour, and rejoice in the primal art of gathering.
Making hawthorn syrup isn’t merely about the end product. It’s about the journey: the soft sunlight filtering through the branches, the quiet punctuated by birds chirping, and my heart beating in sync with the rhythm of the old, wise Earth.
It’s a celebration, my hands cheerfully dancing around the tree, carefully plucking flowers.
The thrill isn’t in the syrup alone, but in the process itself.
The weaving of nature into my everyday routine; the escape, however fleeting, from emails, screens, the never-ending scroll.
I discover a vitality in this simplicity—a connection that nurtures my soul.
So, I say yes to the delight of gathering Hawthorn flowers. I reconnect with nature, tradition, and most importantly, myself.
The Hawthorn tree waits, its branches heavy with my next adventure.
Click here for my Hawthorn flower syrup recipe.
Talk soon,
Robin
P.S. If you liked this post, let me know in the comments below.
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Thanks once again the recipe for hawthorn flowers sounds absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it out just one question I have near me a hawthorn tree which produces red flower’s would it be OK to try them also just to see if there’s a different taste
Many thanks Mr hetherington
Just beautiful thank you. You help me feel connected to the earth
Love all of your posts and recently bought the book but I still enjoy getting the emails. Thank you ??
Thanks Robin
I’m planning on making a two part hawthorn tincture so the recipe for the syrup will come in handy.
Steve
Love reading your emails Robin.
I have a love of all things nature and I’m learning a lot through you and your book. Thank you x
Very excited to receive my two copies of your works. You are appreciated
Many thanks Robin for inspiring us to get out into nature ,such a lovely picture you paint. I’ll definitely be out to gather some this week ?
I’ve been nibbling on hawthorn flowers this last week, now I can make some syrup! Thank you for the recipe and for your book.
What a beautifully written and descriptive picture of the Hawthorn!
It took me back to childhood and the delight in seeing the clusters of flowers which seemed to tie in with our school’s sports day!
It was, as said, food for the soul. Thank you.
Blimey, he’s a bard as well as the foraging-guru king!
Love the water colour picture, please don’t tell me you did that too!
Awesome, thank you ?
first I have heard of hawthorn syrup, and I am away now to try it, thank you so much. I love your wisdom on plants and leaves
Lovely!
Love your emails, love your books.
Been telling anyone who wants to listen that your books are the best for foraging ??
Very beautiful words. Thank you. I’m off to research what benefits lie in Hawthorn syrup.
I love your approach to foraging, the deep appreciation and spirituality you bring to the endeavour 🙂
Beautifully written. Your connection to the earth is gratifying and soul quenching. It really shows that you love what you do.
In peace and happiness,
Coleen
I sure liked that post. Hawthorn syrup sounds delicious and rather special. I’m inspired to try and make some. Thank you. H
I loved that essay .???
Yes really liked this – it is a like verbale picture, or maybe I should term it art in words.
Thanks Robin your work is really appreciated – still listening and relistening to your Podcast with Mo Wilde.
Sue Hosking
You have a real gift for words. Thank you ?
I’d love to try this but there is such a strong taboo here in Ireland about picking hawthorn or bringing it into the house I’m not sure I’d dare! I think everyone in Ireland remembers their mum or granny screaming at them in real fear when as a kid they innocently picked a bunch. Do you not have that in England, or did you just decide to get over it?!
thank you for sharing lovely
Thank you for this.
Currently isolating for a few days and my hawthorn is in full bloom.
Will try this out tomorrow!
I just finished the book, Where the Crawdads Sing. Your introduction is similar in conveying your love of nature.
As a boy (70 years ago) , we called hawthornflower ‘bread and cheese’ , I have no idea why , it’s tastes nothing like that .
When I was a lad (70 years ago) , we called Hawthorn flower ‘Bread and Cheese’ . No idea why , it tastes nothing like bread and cheese !
I was just showing my family a picture I took today of a fresh white Hawthorn bloom – and a surprise holly bloom!
and then you post that beautiful poetic prose.
I’m sure you are careful to leave a lot of flowers behind, so that many berries can still sprout.
I’m loving this website and podcasts. I’m really a very minor forager, just a few bits here and there but this is inspiring. Fallen in love with using your spring tonic as a salad dressing with some olive oil
I wasn’t expecting that. The audio performance was a joy to listen to. I was walking across the fields near to where I live this afternoon. Your prose took me back to the smell of the Hawthorne and the warmth of the sun. Calming is the word.
thank you for this beautifully read, complete feeling and sense of the hawthorn experience. you really took me there …a wonderful thing. a brilliant guided visualisation.
Tickled a string – those words of yours.
Thank you for the resonance.
An ecstatic passion for plants.
This beautiful work is magical.
Thanks for sharing the magic
Beautifully written. I walked in woods yesterday & felt completely immersed in the sight & smell of the hawthorn, so calming & your words describe it well.
I’ve yet to try Hawthorn syrup , sounds delicious.
Thank you.
Beautiful. Inspiring. Connected. Grateful. Thank you so much for sharing this, all of it.
Beautifully narrated! Thank you!
Love it! ive been making poetry too with the blossom and I was going to make a tincture but someone drank the vodka. i was annoyed but syrup sounds even nicer so now im not!
Beautiful .Thanks for the reminder to slow down and take it all in…
Beautiful, such a lovely read.
The Hawthorn is amazing at the moment, bursting in blooms.
Beutifully written – so evocative of the countryside at this moment……
Love it
Thank you
We have an abundance of Hawthorne, where we live and your poem described beautifully it’s full presence at this time of year, thankyou ?
Thank you Robin
I really enjoyed the audio version
It was lovely to listen whilst I had my morning coffee … I’m off now for a quick walk in the woods before work begins …
You started my day and connected me to the real world around me ..
? Namaste
Beautifully written. Thank you 🙂
Amazing information Robin, I am so pleased that I have not unsubscribed from your email list, for the info you send is of high value and important to keep old traditions alive!
Thank you. Inspiring as always and your words form a melody throughout the heart.
I had to come back again to say that my syrup is currently steeping overnight.
It takes ALOT of flowers to make a little bit of syrup.
I decided to try some flowers as a tea; delicious!! A gorgeous drink, beautifully light green in colour and delicately floral.
Thank you once again for the fantastic hawthorn inspiration.
I love the painting! Did you do it?
Beautifully written. I wonder how a rosy syrup from crimson hawthorn would be. It sounds lovely.
Thanks for the recipe love your emails they give me lots of ideas. I do love the blossoms at this time of year and the smell is amazing.
Always love your emails Robin, I keep them all. Also have a book written by you and love natural remedies. Do you have any advice for Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferers? It would be greatly appreciated.
And aging people suffering with bad knees!
Thank you
You are such a poet! We are big Hawthorne fans, and we have recently picked the Sloe berry flowers that give a wonderful healing tea. The best detox after winter! Greetings from Sweden.
Just made some Hawthorn Flower Tincture so going back for more flowers to make the syrup.
There does seem to be an abundance of Flowers this year so hopefully more berries to follow.
Thank you so much as always for the posts. Always get a buzz when I see one ping up.
BTW, the Water colour is fantastic.
Take care and very best wishes to all
Lovely post, they always are but this one in particular is really beautiful. I love this time of year and am enjoying what seems a particularly rich year for Hawthorn. Thank you Robin for putting into words how I feel about the wonderful world of plants and our place in nature.