Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa)

Description: Native to Europe, western Asia, and locally in northwest Africa, it is a shrub growing to a height of 5m producing sloe ... more

Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa) ... berries. Commonly known for making sloe gin.

Newest Review: ... nectar for themselves and pollinating the flowers. The fruit will form and can be harvested in October November. I have a ... more

... blackthorn bush in the hedge at the bottom of my garden. No not to use to make sloe gin, but for the butterflies. The Black and Brown Hairstreaks butterfly will lay its eggs on the leaves. The caterpillars eating the leaves when the eggs hatch. Also some moth caterpillars will eat the leavers too. Blackthorn fruit will get eaten by the birds. The bush also makes a good place for birds to nest. I think blackthorn is a good bush to grow if you want a thick hedge as it is a native plant and we are growing so many n...more

Read Reviews for Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa)

Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa): Good for wildlife and gin. (542 words)
by - written on 05/02/09 (Very useful, 157 readings)
Rating:

Why am I writing about Blackthorn? Well if you want to plant a blackthorn hedge once the snow clears will be a good time. Blackthorn bushes are best planted between November and February. Blackthorn Prunus spinosa is well know as it produces the sloe A small black purple blue plum like fruit .. This bush is deciduous bush growing to 5 meters tall. Its branches have many sharp thorns. This bush/small tree looks magnificent in late March and April with its 5 petaled creamy white blossom flowers. These flowers are about 1.5cm in diameter. The flowers are on the bush just before the leaves come out. Bees will buzz round these flowers gathering ... Read the complete review