Blackthorn
Prunus spinosa
Also listed as Prunus acacia-germanica, Prunus curdica
Also known as Sloe, Sloe Berry
Climate Match for your location
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A thorny deciduous shrub prized for its early white blossoms in spring and small blue-black fruits (sloes) used for gin and preserves. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it makes an excellent hedging plant.
Why grow it
Blackthorn offers reliable early spring interest with abundant white flowers and a generous autumn fruit crop suitable for processing, making it more productive than many ornamental thorny shrubs. Its extreme hardiness and ability to establish in poor, dry soils without amendment give it an advantage over cultivars requiring richer conditions. As a native species in Europe and western Asia, it supports diverse insect and bird populations while functioning as an effective, self-maintaining hedge.
Watch out for
Blackthorn spreads vigorously via root suckers in suitable conditions, requiring periodic management to prevent it from overtaking neighboring plants. The dense thorns make harvesting sloes labor-intensive and protective gloves advisable. In wet soils, root rot can occur, so ensure adequate drainage rather than treating waterlogged sites as suitable simply because the plant is hardy overall. The stones (pits) and leaves are toxic; eat only the fruit.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A thorny deciduous shrub prized for its early white blossoms in spring and small blue-black fruits (sloes) used for gin and preserves. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it makes an excellent hedging plant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Blackthorn grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Blackthorn offers reliable early spring interest with abundant white flowers and a generous autumn fruit crop suitable for processing, making it more productive than many ornamental thorny shrubs. Its extreme hardiness and ability to establish in poor, dry soils without amendment give it an advantage over cultivars requiring richer conditions. As a native species in Europe and western Asia, it supports diverse insect and bird populations while functioning as an effective, self-maintaining hedge.
Watch out for
Blackthorn spreads vigorously via root suckers in suitable conditions, requiring periodic management to prevent it from overtaking neighboring plants. The dense thorns make harvesting sloes labor-intensive and protective gloves advisable. In wet soils, root rot can occur, so ensure adequate drainage rather than treating waterlogged sites as suitable simply because the plant is hardy overall. The stones (pits) and leaves are toxic; eat only the fruit.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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