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Prunus spinosa

blackthorn

Rosaceae

Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Prunus spinosa is a deciduous, densely branched shrub or small tree in the rose family, growing 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) tall with rigid, spine-tipped twigs and near-black bark. In early spring, before the small oval leaves unfurl, the bare branches are covered in masses of white five-petaled flowers about 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) across. The leaves are 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long with finely toothed margins. By autumn the plant carries blue-black, plum-like drupes called sloes, 0.4-0.6 inch (1-1.5 cm) wide, with a waxy bloom and sharply astringent flesh that softens after frost. It spreads by root suckers to form dense, impenetrable thickets, which has made it long-used as a stock-proof hedge across Europe. The fruit flavors sloe gin and preserves, and the hard wood is worked into walking sticks. The seeds and foliage contain cyanogenic compounds that are poisonous if eaten in quantity. In parts of North America it has naturalized and is treated as an invasive thicket-former.

Native Range

Native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, where it grows in hedgerows, woodland edges, scrub, and rough grassland. It has naturalized in parts of northeastern North America and New Zealand.

Suggested Uses

Used as a stock-proof hedge, in shelterbelts, and in wildlife plantings where its thorns shelter nesting birds. The fruit is harvested for sloe gin, jams, and country wines. It suits rural and naturalistic settings rather than small formal gardens.

How to Identify

Identified by stiff, spiny black twigs and an abundance of small white flowers that open in early spring before the leaves. The leaves are small and finely toothed, and the autumn fruit is a round, blue-black sloe with a waxy bloom. Its thorns and suckering, thicket-forming habit separate it from cultivated plums.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 15'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Flowers in early spring, generally March to April, with white blossom appearing on bare twigs ahead of the foliage. The lightly almond-scented flowers draw early bees and other pollinators. Fruit develops through summer and ripens to blue-black sloes in autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark green, turning yellow in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay chalk sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in most well-drained soils, including chalk, clay, and sand, across a pH of about 6.0 to 8.0. Withstands wind, coastal exposure, and drought once established. Spreads steadily by root suckers, forming thickets that need space or regular containment. Tolerates hard trimming, which is why it is used for hedging. The seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic compounds and are poisonous if eaten.

Pruning

Trim hedges after flowering or in late summer once nesting birds have left. Cutting back hard in winter is tolerated and brings dense regrowth. Suckers can be removed each year to limit spread.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans