Prunus spinosa
Blackthorn
Common names: Sloe, Sloe Thorn, Hedge Thorn
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a thorny, wild shrub that first blooms in March, covering a bare hedge in white flowers and providing an early forage for bees. Its small, bluish‑black fruits are raw, astringent, but become milder after the first frost, making them suitable for liqueur, jelly, and wild fruit juice. As an impenetrable thorny hedge, it offers valuable shelter for birds and insects.
Care instructions
Plant in autumn (October/November, weeks 42‑46) in a sunny spot. It is very tolerant and thrives even on poor, dry soil. Ensure the site allows dense growth via root runners. Harvest the fruits after the first frost (November, week 45) or briefly freeze them to reduce bitterness.
Pruning
Diseases & pests
2 relevantFrom the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species.
Operophtera brumata
Operophtera brumata
Grapholita funebrana
Grapholita funebrana
Notes from real gardens
What other gardeners have written down about this variety — anonymous, voluntary.
No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?