Heather, Species Spotlight, Feb 26
Name: Prunus spinosa (also known as Sloe bush or Sloe plum)
Location: Widespread across the UK. Native to Europe and West Asia, naturalised in some areas of North America.
Features:
- Blackthorn is one of the earliest flowering species to see across the country, with abundant clouds of white blossoms opening in very early spring, helping to mark the start of the season.
- As woody shrub from the Rosaceae family, it can grow as a bush or into a small tree, depending on management and conditions.
- The bark is very dark and smooth, the branches are equipped with spines, each about 1” long and alarmingly sharp. The spines are characteristic of the species, as inferred by ‘spinosa’ in the plant’s Latin name.
- The growth is dense and tangled, with oval-shaped, finely toothed leaves, which are usually twice as long as they are broad. The plant is deciduous however it is very hardy and so retains many leaves long into winter.
- Blackthorn produces sloes, inky blue berries with a matt waxy bloom. They appear along the branches in autumn. Sloes are a good food source for birds and other wildlife, though likely more renowned as the key ingredient in ‘sloe gin’.
Uses/benefits:
- This species has been used for centuries to create dense and very hardy hedgerows. It can be seen in ancient, veteran and modern hedgerows all over the UK and Northern Europe.
- In addition to hedgerows, blackthorn is an excellent species to consider including within mixed scrub areas and understorey planting for woodland.
- It provides excellent nesting and foraging habitat for a wide range of bird species, the tangled growth habit provides good shelter and the spines give protection from most predators.
- As one of the first flowers of the season in great volume, this early source of nectar is highly valuable to the first emerging pollinators. The blooms have a delightful almond-like fragrance, which is strongest on sunny days.
- It is an important host to a variety of moths and butterflies, including some which are very rare. The larvae overwinter on the plant and then feed on the leaves and deadwood when they emerge as caterpillars in spring.
- As well as feeding the birds, the fruit has several culinary uses and can be used to make inks and dyes. While edible and delicious in pies and james, sloes are highly astringent when raw – tasting almost as sharp as the spines.
Thorny issues:
- Blackthorn is hardy, resilient and grows well in most conditions, this vigorous growth should be considered before planting. It has a habit of spreading with sturdy suckers. These underground shoots can pop up meters away from the main plant and quickly establish themselves. Without regular management the width of the hedgerow or shrub base is likely to expand significantly over time.
- The very sharp and strong spines can be hard to spot at first, so the plant is best located away from small gardens or narrow footpaths to reduce accidental injury. This feature can be put to good use however as the plant creates a tough, stock-proof barrier for grazing land. It could also be planted strategically to deter burglars climbing over boundaries – the puncture wounds are quite painful.
Given its widespread use over the centuries, it is no surprise that blackthorn has long been associated with a vast array of superstitions and folklore beliefs. Its dark bark and vicious spines have earned blackthorn’s reputation among the tales as both a protector and a link to malevolent spirits. In any case, it is a versatile and hardy native species, which benefits a range of wildlife so, if there is a suitable place for it, it’s a great species to include in your habitat creation and enhancement plans.