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Blackthorn
Blackthorn sloes
Sloes.
Blackthorn hedge in blossom

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is an absolutely invaluable hedge plant because of its spines and suckering tendency. It's great for wildlife too, flowering in early spring and producing masses of sloes in autumn. Like all the native species we sell, all our blackthorn plants are grown in the UK from UK origin seed.
Regular price
£12.95
Regular price
Sale price
£12.95
Unit price
per 
Availability
Sold out
Prices include VAT (when applicable) and delivery to mainland UK.
We sell 60-90cm bare root whips in multiples of 5, delivering from end November to end March.

Click here to be notified by email when Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) becomes available.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, is one of my favourite hedge plants. Unlike Hawthorn it's slow growing and freely suckering, forming impenetrable thickets. Like it, though, it makes an attractive small tree if left alone. It has needle like spines (hence "spinosa"), which make it a mixed blessing for hedge layers. They can hurt, and sometimes become infected. Don't plant Blackthorn trees close to a lawn or, like us, you'll have spiky suckers coming up under your feet. Prunus spinosa is tough as old boots, and as a hedge plant lays well and forms a good spiny stockproof - and people proof - barrier. Add to that its suckering and ability to grow in a wide range of conditions, including shade, and you can understand why it's so invaluable in hedgerows.

Value For Wildlife

Blackthorn's thorny branches and dense suckering habit makes it a fabulous refuge for small birds and mammals. They feast on its sloes, and a raft of moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on it too. Among the lepidoptera for which Blackthorn is a foodplant are the Brown Hairstreak, Black Hairstreak, Small Tortoiseshell and Short-cloaked moth. Its prolific beautiful white blossom is an important nectar source in early spring for a range of pollinators including honeybees, and contrasts visually with its near black bark to make for a lovely effect.

Uses

Blackthorn tree wood is hard and prized for walking sticks, and was also said to have been used for the crown of thorns. It's main value for us here, however, is the sloe gin - a vital part of our Christmas! We've also made sloe jam before. The flowers are edible too, and make a tea high in vitamin C.


Plants For Sale

Like all our native trees and hedging, our Blackthorns have UK origin and provenance - that's to say they're British grown using seed from trees here. We sell 60-90cm whips in multiples of 5, and larger sizes (if available).

Supplier : Okaover Nurseries, RV Roger

See our planting and size guide for details and tips on planting Blackthorn.

These Blackthorn plants are all bare root, and are consequently available for delivery from November until March (please ask if you are interested in pot grown plants and we may be able to help). During the lifting season there may be up to two week's delay between placing the order and dispatching, due to weather conditions or pressure of orders, which are dealt with in date sequence. Orders placed for Blackthorn between March and October are confirmed for dispatch from November.

Size

  • Ultimate Height

    4m

  • Ultimate Spread

    4m

  • Time to Ultimate Height

    Over 20 years

Soil

  • Type

    Clay, loam, sand, chalk

  • pH

    Neutral, acid, alkaline

Situation

  • Position

    Sheltered or exposed

  • Sunlight

    Full or partial sun

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