Blackthorn: A Guide to Growing and Caring for This Wildlife-Friendly Shrub
Introduction
Blackthorn, also known as sloe, is a versatile shrub that can be grown as a hedge or a small tree. It’s a great choice for wildlife gardens, as it provides food and shelter for a variety of insects, birds, and small mammals.
Growing Conditions
Blackthorn prefers moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It’s a hardy shrub that can tolerate most soil types and exposed sites.
Planting
- Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep.
- Soak the plant’s roots in water for 30 minutes before planting.
- Place the plant in the hole and spread out the roots.
- Backfill the hole with soil and firm it down gently.
- Water the plant thoroughly and keep it well-watered in dry periods for the first year.
Care
Blackthorn is a low-maintenance shrub that requires minimal care.
- Pruning: Prune blackthorn in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased branches and to control its size and shape.
- Suckers: Remove suckers regularly to prevent thickets from developing.
Propagation
Blackthorn can be propagated from seed, softwood cuttings, suckers, or by layering.
- Seed: Collect seeds in autumn and store them in the fridge over winter. Sow them in spring.
- Softwood cuttings: Take softwood cuttings from spring to early summer.
- Suckers: Sever suckers from the parent plant in spring and replant them.
Pests and Diseases
Blackthorn is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but it can be affected by:
- Silver leaf: This fungal disease causes branch dieback and silvery foliage.
- Blossom wilt: This fungal disease causes leaves and blossom to wilt and brown.
- Gall-forming fungus: This fungus causes plants to produce small, shrivelled fruits.
- Aphids and caterpillars: These pests may damage leaves, but they generally cause little harm to the plant.
Wildlife Benefits
Blackthorn is a valuable wildlife plant. It provides:
- Food: Sloes are a popular food source for birds and small mammals.
- Shelter: The thorny branches create sheltered areas and nesting sites for wildlife.
- Pollination: The early blossom attracts pollinators such as bumblebees and mining bees.
Sloes: Harvesting and Uses
Sloes are the small, dark blue fruits of the blackthorn shrub. They are a versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of ways:
- Sloe gin: Sloes are the key ingredient in sloe gin, a popular liqueur.
- Jellies and preserves: Sloes can be used to make jellies, jams, and other preserves.
- Flavoring: Sloes can be used to flavor vodka, port, and other alcoholic beverages.
Choosing and Buying Blackthorn
- Blackthorn hedging is often sold as bare-root plants.
- Plant bare-root trees as soon as you receive them.
- If you can’t plant on the day of arrival, soak them in a bucket of water and then plant in a bare patch of soil until the planting site is ready.
Varieties of Blackthorn
There are several varieties of blackthorn available, including:
- Prunus spinosa ‘Plena’: This variety has beautiful double-flowered white blossom in March and April.
