Blackthorn blooms very early, sometimes showing first flowers in January and there are nearly always one or two in February. It flowers before any leaves emerge so has a delightful appearance of bright white blossom on black twigs. The thorns, which can be 2 to 5 cm long, make it tricky to pick the fruits (left) later in the year. They are only about 1 or 2 cm in diameter but looked so delicious in this close-up, I had to use the photo. If the fruits (sloes) are picked late in the year, October or November they can be added, with sugar, to make sloe gin.

Prunus spinosa is common throughout England, Wales and Ireland but is less common in the far north of Scotland.

Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Northwich, Cheshire 31st March 2009 Previous   Next	Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Northwich, Cheshire 31st March 2009 Previous   Next
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn	Prunus spinosa Blackthorn

Fruit: Great Orme 13th September 2002 Flowers: Northwich, Cheshire 31st March 2009

Added on December 17th 2004, amended 19th February 2005, updated 31ts March 2009, updated July 28th 2011