Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
A fierce, suckering, stock-proof hedge that flowers before its leaves (early bee forage) and gives sloes for gin. Contain the suckers.
Prunus spinosa, called blackthorn or sloe, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. It is native to Europe and West Asia, and has been naturalised in parts of North America.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
At a glance
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Water need
- Low
- Mature height
- 4 m
- Maintenance
- Low
- Hardiness
- USDA 4–8
- Layers
- shrub
Functional roles
Pollination & soil
- Soil
- light/sandy, medium/loam, heavy/clay
- pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Grows on almost anything, including exposed sites.
Propagation
How to make more of this plant for free — the permaculture way.
When: Lift suckers when dormant
Sloes for gin; suckers and is very thorny.
Where to get it
Read more
Seed data pending expert review. Identification photo and description are sourced from Wikipedia/Wikimedia; always confirm a plant in person before eating any part of it.