Blackthorn hedging plants
Blackthorn hedging plants
ON SALE

Blackthorn Hedge

Prunus spinosa

Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, is a native thorny hedge that covers itself in white blossom on bare stems in March and April, followed by blue-black sloes in autumn.

It grows around 30–60cm a year into a dense, spiny boundary that keeps out people and livestock and gives birds and insects food and nesting cover. Choose bare root whips from November, in packs of up to 500, or pot grown plants for most of the year.

Compare our Blackthorn hedging.

  • Native thorny hedge
  • Early spring blossom and sloes
  • Stock-proof and intruder-proof
  • Bare-root packs up to 500

Key product facts

Growth Rate Fast 30-60cm per year
Overall Height Medium up to 5 metres
Plant Position Partial Shade, Coastal, Exposed, Full Sun
Root Types Pot Grown, Bare Root
Choose your plants

Blackthorn Hedge Root Types

Choose from our range of Blackthorn Hedge sizes and root types below.

Selected root type

Bare root Blackthorn hedging

From £0.95 per plant 4 heights to pre-order
By far the most cost effective and environmentally friendly way to plant a new hedge, bare root hedging is normally available between November and April. No need for plastic pots, these plants are extra-kind to the environment
Planting window

Availability

  • In Season
  • Pre Order
  • Out Of Season
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Step 2

Choose your height

Pick a height to see the relevant single-plant and bulk-buy options.

Available height

40-60cm

Bare Root options
  • Bare Root
    Single plants
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £200
    Box delivery
    £0.95

    £0.95 per plant

    6 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 100
    Save 5%
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £200
    Box delivery
    Original price was: £95.00.Current price is: £90.25.

    £0.90 per plant

    6 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 250
    Save 10%
    Free UK Delivery
    Box delivery
    Original price was: £237.50.Current price is: £213.75.

    £0.86 per plant

    6 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 500
    Save 12%
    Free UK Delivery
    Box delivery
    Original price was: £475.00.Current price is: £415.63.

    £0.83 per plant

    6 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
Available height

60-90cm

Bare Root options
  • Bare Root
    Single plants
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £200
    Box delivery
    £1.25

    £1.25 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 100
    Save 5%
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £200
    Box delivery
    Original price was: £125.00.Current price is: £118.75.

    £1.19 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 250
    Save 10%
    Free UK Delivery
    Box delivery
    Original price was: £312.50.Current price is: £281.25.

    £1.13 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 500
    Save 12%
    Free UK Delivery
    Pallet delivery
    Original price was: £625.00.Current price is: £546.88.

    £1.09 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
Available height

90-120cm

Bare Root options
  • Bare Root
    Single plants
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £300
    Large box delivery
    £1.90

    £1.90 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 100
    Save 5%
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £300
    Large box delivery
    Original price was: £190.00.Current price is: £180.50.

    £1.81 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 250
    Save 10%
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £500
    Pallet delivery
    Original price was: £475.00.Current price is: £427.50.

    £1.71 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
  • Bulk saving
    Pack of 500
    Save 12%
    Free UK Delivery
    Pallet delivery
    Original price was: £950.00.Current price is: £831.25.

    £1.66 per plant

    5 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026
Available height

120-150cm

Bare Root options
  • Bare Root
    Single plants
    Free UK Delivery on orders over £300
    Large box delivery
    £3.75

    £3.75 per plant

    4 plants per metre recommended
    Shipping from NOV 2026

Choosing your Blackthorn plants

Bare-root whips are by far the cheapest way to plant a Blackthorn hedge and establish quickly. Pot-grown plants cost more but can be planted outside the bare-root season.

Root typeSizePlants per metreWhen
Bare root40–60cm6November to March
Bare root60–120cm5November to March
Bare root120–150cm4November to March
Pot grown40–90cm4Most of the year
Pot grown90–120cm3Most of the year

Bare-root sizes come in packs of 100, 250 and 500, and pot-grown sizes in packs of 50, all with a lower price per plant. These are single-row figures; for a stock-proof field hedge, plant a staggered double row.

Why plant a Blackthorn hedge?

A natural barrier

Blackthorn's stiff, thorny branches knit into a hedge that people and livestock will not push through, which is why it has been used for field boundaries for centuries. It also makes an excellent defensive hedge along a garden boundary.

Early blossom and sloes

Its white flowers open on bare black stems in March and April, weeks before most hedges come into leaf, giving early nectar for bees. The blue-black sloes that follow in autumn are eaten by birds and are the fruit used for sloe gin.

Blackthorn compared with other native hedges

BlackthornHawthornDog Rose
FlowersMarch–April, whiteMay, whiteJune, pink-white
FruitSloesRed hawsOrange-red hips
Spreads by suckersYesNoA little
Best forDefensive and wildlife hedgesNeat field and garden hedgesInformal wildlife hedges

Many native hedges combine all three: compare Hawthorn hedge plants, Dog Rose hedging or a ready-made native mixed hedge.

Choosing the right hedge

Is Blackthorn right for you?

A great choice if you want:

  • A thorny, stock-proof or defensive hedge
  • Native wildlife hedging
  • Early spring blossom and autumn sloes
  • Exposed, windy or coastal sites
  • A long hedge at low cost per metre

Consider another hedge if:

  • You need winter screening (it is deciduous)
  • You cannot control suckers near lawns or borders
  • The hedge runs beside a path or play area

Compare our Blackthorn hedging

Where does Blackthorn grow best?

Soil

Blackthorn grows on almost any soil, including heavy clay, chalk and light sandy ground, as long as it is not waterlogged.

Sun, wind and coast

It flowers and fruits best in full sun but grows in part shade. It is fully hardy and very wind-tolerant, including on exposed and coastal sites, which makes it a good choice for field edges and windbreaks.

Planting, growth and trimming

Planting

Plant bare-root Blackthorn between November and March when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Fit rabbit guards where rabbits or deer are about, and water through the first dry spring.

Suckers

Blackthorn sends up suckers into nearby ground. On a field edge this thickens the hedge; next to a lawn or border, mowing along the hedge line keeps them in check.

Trimming

Trim in late winter, outside the bird nesting season. Sloes form on older wood, so if you want fruit, cut only part of the hedge each year. Our Blackthorn hedging care guide covers spacing and pruning in detail.

Buying help

Buying FAQs

What size Blackthorn should I buy?

For most hedges, 40–60cm or 60–90cm bare-root whips are the best value and establish quickly. Choose 90–150cm plants for more height straight away, or pot-grown plants if you are planting outside the bare-root season.

How many Blackthorn plants do I need per metre?

For a single row, plant 40–60cm bare-root whips at 6 per metre, 60–120cm at 5 per metre and 120–150cm at 4 per metre. Pot-grown Blackthorn goes in at 3–4 per metre. The calculator on this page works out the total from your hedge length.

When is bare-root Blackthorn delivered?

Bare-root Blackthorn is lifted while dormant and delivered from November to March, depending on the weather. You can pre-order now and your plants will be dispatched as soon as the new season's stock is ready.

Do you sell Blackthorn in bulk?

Yes. Bare-root sizes come in packs of 100, 250 and 500, and pot-grown sizes in packs of 50, with the price per plant falling as the pack gets bigger. For farm, estate or landscape orders, contact us for a quote.

Is Blackthorn evergreen?

No. Blackthorn is deciduous and loses its leaves in autumn, but its dense, thorny stems still make a solid barrier through winter. For year-round screening, mix it with Holly or choose an evergreen hedge.

Is Blackthorn good for a mixed native hedge?

Yes. Blackthorn is one of the core native hedge species, usually planted with Hawthorn, Field Maple, Hazel and Dog Rose. Mixing them gives a longer season of flowers and fruit and helps control Blackthorn's spread.

Helpful guides

More help with Blackthorn

Blackthorn hedging care & growing guide Hawthorn vs Blackthorn: which is better? How to stop Blackthorn suckers spreading

Related hedge plants

Compare these alternative hedge plants to find the right choice for your garden, planting conditions and preferred hedge style.

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    Hawthorn Hedge

    Hawthorn, Quickthorn, Whitethorn or May Hedging also known as Crataegus monogyna is a popular thorny, deciduous hedging species that provides seasonal interest, with pure white flowers in the spring, followed by attractive green foliage

    Price From £1.15 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Hazel hedging plants
    Hazel Hedge

    Hazel is an attractive, native, deciduous hedging plant, with large green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn, yellow catkins and edible nuts.

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    Field Maple hedging plants
    Field Maple Hedge

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  • Dog Rose hedging plants
    Dog Rose Hedge

    Dog Rose or Wild Rose is a thorny, rambling deciduous plant with green leaves that produces beautiful pink-white flowers in the spring followed by attractive orange hips.

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    Guelder Rose hedging plants
    Guelder Rose Hedge

    Guelder Rose is a deciduous hedging plant, that produces white lace-cap flower heads in spring followed by juicy red berries in the autumn. It has large ornate green leaves that turn red in the autumn.

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    Field Wildlife hedging mix
    Field Wildlife Hedging Mix

    Field Wildlife Mix is a traditional British mixed hedge that's suitable for most conditions including coastal and windy sites. This mix not only adapts well to various environments but also encourages bushy growth, promoting a dense and vigorous habitat.

    Price From £6.60 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

Planting essentials

Give your new hedge the best possible start with the planting products we recommend for establishment and healthy growth.

  • Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi with gel 360g pack
    Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi with Gel

    Support the establishment of newly planted hedges, trees and shrubs with Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi. The beneficial fungi form a secondary root system that helps plants access water and nutrients from the surrounding soil.

    The included dipping gel makes Rootgrow particularly convenient for bare-root hedging, while the dry granules can be applied directly to the roots of pot-grown and root-balled plants.

    Choose from 360g, 1kg and 2.5L Professional packs for domestic gardens, longer hedge lines and trade or commercial planting projects.

    Price From £14.95 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • ON SALE
    Hedge Feed 1.1kg
    Hedge Feed

    Feeding your hedging with our granular ‘Hedge Feed’ the ultimate solution for nurturing and rejuvenating your beloved hedge. Our carefully crafted long lasting granular hedge fertiliser provides the essential nutrients your hedge needs to thrive.

    Price From £8.25 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • ON SALE
    Hedge irrigation pipe
    Hedge and Garden Irrigation

    As well as supplying high quality plants we also provide a complete Irrigation package to make sure your investment thrives.

    Price From £0.95 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Hedge planting compost
    Hedge Planting Compost

    Our Hedge Planting Compost is a natural, peat free soil conditioner/improver.

    Price From £8.00 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • ON SALE
    Garden canes
    Garden Canes

    Our bamboo canes provide support to your hedge and ensures that plants fitted with a rabbit guard will grow nice and straight. They are 90cm long (3ft) and made from 100% bamboo.

    Price From £0.29 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • ON SALE
    Hedging spiral guards
    Hedging Spiral Guards

    Our Hedging Spiral Guards help protect your hedge from damage by rabbits.

    Price From £0.58 Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page