Prunus spinosa

RHS Plant Profile
blackthorn

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blackthorn RHS 2002
blackthorn visionspictures.com

Other common names

buckthorn, bullace, skeg, sloe, sloe plum, snag, draenen ddu

Synonyms

Prunus platyphylla
Prunus myriocephala
Prunus stilboacantha

Plants for pollinators
Trees
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A small thorny deciduous tree with dark green, ovate leaves, and small white flowers in early spring, followed by ovoid, bloomy black fruits 1.5cm across. If left unchecked, it can produce suckers both upwards and outwards which may become a nuisance, so removal of these is advised unless you require a solid thicket

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Seed kernels harmful if eatenwear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe to Russia Med.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow native shrub or small tree, that can be used for hedging. Grows in any moist well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem

Pests

Susceptible to damage from aphids, caterpillars and bullfinches

Diseases

May be susceptible to silver leaf and blossom wilt. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa