More familiar to many as the Sloe, from its large fruits ripening in late autumn, Blackthorn is an important native deciduous shrub often seen growing wild in the countryside. A densely spiny suckering shrub, it makes one of the best stock-proof hedges and forms an essential part of wildlife hedges. Its snowy white blossom appears in very early spring before the leaves and is followed in late autumn by the purplish-black fruits.

Site and soil

Very tough and tolerant of most soils and situations, including wet, exposed sites.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 5m x 1.5m
After 20 years: 5m x 1.5m

Leaf and bark

Oval leaves appear after the blossom in late March. The bark is very smooth and black.

Flower, seed and fruit

The small white 5-petalled flowers appear in great profusion in early March, smothering the whole plant. They are followed by small, hard plum-like fruits, which ripen to purplish-black in late autumn. The flesh is green and very bitter, and surrounds the seed.

Uses

Stock and people-proof hedges, mixed wildlife hedges, woodland, cover for game birds. Blackthorn’s suckering habit ensures that there are never gaps at the base of the hedge. The fruits are used to make sloe gin, and the branches to make walking-sticks, or shillelaghs.

Wildlife

The pollen is a good food source for early insects, and the larvae of a variety of moths and butterflies, including the Emperor Moth, feed on the leaves. The fruits are eaten by birds over winter.