Blackthorn

Description

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a hardy, native deciduous shrub best known for its deep purple-black fruits, traditionally used to make the much-loved winter tipple, sloe gin. One of the earliest signs of spring, blackthorn bursts into flower before it comes into leaf, covering bare branches in clouds of delicate white flowers and releasing a subtle almond-like scent that is rich in nectar for pollinating insects.

Often confused with hawthorn, blackthorn is easy to tell apart by its flowering time. While hawthorn blooms later in spring, blackthorn flowers first, creating striking hedgerows before surrounding plants have fully woken up.

As the seasons progress, dark green foliage forms a dense, natural screen, followed in autumn by clusters of blue-black sloe berries that are enjoyed by wildlife and foragers alike.

Thanks to its dense, thorny growth, blackthorn hedging also provides an effective natural security hedge, making it an excellent choice for secure, wildlife-friendly boundaries.

How to Identify

Prunus spinosa is a spiny shrub with slender, dark twigs and sharp thorns. Its small, oval leaves are finely toothed, and in early spring it produces five-petalled white flowers in dense clusters along bare branches. The fruits are round, blue-black sloe berries with a dusty bloom, smaller than those of wild plum or bullace, which also have broader leaves.

How to Grow

This native shrub is exceptionally tough and well-suited to the UK climate. Blackthorn thrives in full sun and tolerates strong winds and wet coastal conditions. It prefers well-drained soils, making it ideal for UK growing conditions.

It is fast-growing, capable of putting on up to 60cm of growth per year, quickly forming a thick, stock-proof hedge with minimal maintenance. Shade is the one condition it dislikes, so choose an open position for best results.