Blackthorn, Sloe (Prunus spinosa)

Blackthorn or Sloe (Prunus spinosa) is a large, deciduous native hedging shrub. In late February and March, on viciously thorny bare branches with blackish bark, Blackthorn carries its clouds of white flowers. In a good year it can be impossible to see the Blackthorn for its blossom. Flowers are followed by mid-sized dark green oval leaves in spring and by purple sloes (from which comes the expression sloe-eyed) in autumn - good for gin, vodka and brandy. Planted with Hawthorn, or by itself Blackthorn makes a dense, impenetrable hedge. While not as powerful a hedge plant as Hawthorn, Blackthorn does have the merit of suckering freely so preventing hedging from becoming gappy at the bottom. We mix it into a number our standard hedging packs and would always recommend it as a constituent of a native hedge

Blackthorn is essential in any hedge where sheep are kept, and Blackthorn hedges are the most effective around allotment gardens. A Blackthorn thicket is home to a mass of wildlife - nightingales nest in it, Emperor Moth larvae eat Blackthorn leaves as do a range of endangered moths and butterflies. As the wood matures it has other uses - Blackthorn is much prized for walking sticks and nothing else will do to make a shillelagh...

Blackthorn is reputed to have medicinal properties especially in connection with the bladder and chest - although none are recommended here. However in colder parts of the country it is best to leave the sloes on the bush (it starts to ripen in October) as they sweeten remarkably after a couple of frosts.

Tolerant of most soils except chalky ones, blackthorn hedging should be trimmed in mid summer. With the warming climate, it is essential to plant Blackthorn early (before the end of February). To 4m