Where can I find blackthorn?

Where can I find blackthorn?

Blackthorn is native to Europe and western Asia. It can also be found in New Zealand and eastern North America. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and thrives in full sunlight. The tree grows naturally in scrub, copses and woodland, but is commonly used as a hedging plant.

Is blackthorn easy to grow?

Blackthorn is a fast-growing hedge with a growth rate of around 40-60cm each year, and can grow well in most soil types, except for very waterlogged soil.

How long does blackthorn take to grow?

around 40-60cm
Blackthorn hedging has a fast growth rate of around 40-60cm of growth annually. A hedge height of between 1 to 4 metres is ideal for Sloe Berry tree hedging.

Can you grow blackthorn in a container?

Apparently, Blackthorn shouldn’t be grown in a pot; it is fast growing, and can achieve 40-60cm (two feet in old money) of growth each year.

Is blackthorn fruit edible?

Blackthorn or sloe berries from the prunus spinosa look like blueberries. But unlike blueberries, they have a tart flavour so are best cooked before eating. They are often used to make jam or the liqueur sloe gin.

Is blackthorn good for wildlife?

Blackthorn is an important species for all kinds of wildlife, but is especially vital for the rare Black Hairstreak butterfly who lays its eggs in its hedges. Here, they overwinter and the caterpillars emerge in spring ready to feed on the plant.

Is blackthorn self pollinating?

Pollination conditions for blackthorns Blackthorns are only partially self-fertile. So if a blackthorn is all alone, there will only be small yields. Therefore always plant two different varieties, ideally at a distance of 2 – 3 m.

How far apart do you plant blackthorn?

Plant 18ins (45cm) apart. TREE/SHRUB 13ft x 10ft (4m x 3m) in 20 years, ultimate height 13ft (4m).

Is Blackthorn self pollinating?

How far apart do you plant Blackthorn?

What is the difference between blackthorn and hawthorn?

With blackthorn, it is flowers before leaves, but with the hawthorn, it is leaves before flowers. This is why it is also known as the May tree. Blackthorn leaves are oval with a toothed edge while hawthorn leaves are deeply lobed with jagged edges.

Is blackthorn poisonous to humans?

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is not poisonous but probably twice as dangerous.

What kind of fruit does blackthorn tree produce?

They’re best known for their rich, inky, dark fruits used to make a favourite wintry tipple – sloe gin. This tree provides pollen for bees and butterflies. After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into fruits. Blackthorn is famed for its purple fruits called sloes.

Where does the blackthorn tree grow in Europe?

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a berry producing tree native to Great Britain and throughout most of Europe, from Scandinavia south and east to the Mediterranean, Siberia and Iran. With such an extensive habitat, there must be some innovative uses for blackthorn berries and other interesting tidbits of information about blackthorn plants.

How long does a blackthorn tree Tree Live?

The leaves are wrinkled, serrated ovals that are pointed at the tip and tapered at the base. They may live for up to 100 years. Blackthorn trees are hermaphrodites, having both male and female reproductive parts. The flowers appear before the tree leafs out in March and April and are then pollinated by insects.

Is the blackthorn tree worth the hunt?

The blackthorn is well worth the hunt with its beautiful white blooms, which some will mistake for cherry blossoms, and varied form that can be useful as a hedge, fruit tree, or ornamental shrub. The blackthorn is easy to care for simply because it will require no further care once planted and established correctly.