Choose the right Blackthorn for your hedge
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Blackthorn HedgePrunus spinosaThe cheapest way to plant a long native hedge: 40–150cm whips from about £6 a metre, in packs of 100, 250 and 500, delivered November to March.DeciduousFast 30-60cm per yearBare RootPot Grown
Blackthorn or Hawthorn?
| Compare | Blackthorn Hedge | Hawthorn Hedge |
|---|---|---|
| Flowers | March to April, on bare stems | May, after the leaves |
| Fruit | Blue-black sloes | Red haws |
| Suckers | Spreads by suckers into nearby ground | Does not sucker |
| Growth | Fast, 30–60cm a year | 20–40cm a year |
| Best for | Defensive, wildlife and country hedges | Neat, defined garden and field hedges |
Gwynne's Grower's Tip
Blackthorn is superb on a field edge or a boundary that needs to keep people and animals out, but it does send up suckers into the ground beside it. Next to a lawn or border that is easy to mow off; in a small garden, I would plant it as part of a mix with Hawthorn rather than on its own.
For a long hedge, bare-root 40–60cm whips at 6 per metre are the best buy. They cost under £1 each, establish quickly and soon catch up with bigger plants.
Blackthorn hedging questions
01How 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. For a stock-proof field hedge, plant a staggered double row.
02Does Blackthorn spread?
Yes. Blackthorn sends up suckers into nearby ground, which is part of what makes it so dense. Mowing along the hedge line keeps them in check, and in small gardens it is best planted mixed with Hawthorn rather than on its own.
03Will a Blackthorn hedge produce sloes?
Yes. A Blackthorn hedge flowers and fruits on older wood, so trim only part of the hedge each year, ideally in late winter, and leave some stems uncut. That way you will get blossom and a crop of sloes every autumn.
Growing Advice for Blackthorn Hedging
Care GuideBlackthorn Hedging Care GuidePractical UK advice for planting, spacing, watering, pruning and maintaining Blackthorn hedging, including suckers, sloes, wildlife and common problems.Read care guide 
Care GuideNative Hedge Plants UKCompare native hedge plants for UK gardens and find the right species or prepared mixture for wildlife, screening, clay soil, shade and rural boundaries.Read care guide 
Q&AHawthorn vs Blackthorn: Which Is Better for Hedging?Hawthorn and Blackthorn are both thorny native deciduous hedging plants, but they are not interchangeable. Their flowering sequence, fruit, growth habit and tendency to spread can make one…Read answer 
Q&AHow to Stop Blackthorn Suckers SpreadingSuckering is part of Blackthorn's natural growth habit rather than a sign that the hedge is unhealthy. Regular early removal is usually much easier than allowing shoots to…Read answer 
Q&AWhy Is My Blackthorn Not Producing Sloes?A healthy Blackthorn hedge does not produce the same crop of sloes every year. The first question is whether the hedge flowered well, because fruit can only develop…Read answer 
Q&AWhat Does a Blackthorn Hedge Look Like in Winter?Blackthorn changes noticeably through the seasons. In winter it loses its leaves, leaving a dense network of dark, thorny branches rather than an evergreen screen.Read answer Q&AIs Blackthorn Poisonous?Blackthorn is best known for edible sloes, but that does not mean every part of the plant should be eaten. The stones, woody growth and very sharp thorns…Read answer 
What is Blackthorn?
Blackthorn, scientifically known as Prunus Spinosa, is not just a beautiful addition to a garden, but also a provider of valuable habitat and food source for wildlife. The densely packed branches offer shelter for many species of birds and small mammals, while the sloe berries produced in autumn are a great food source for many animals. Blackthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree with an ultimate height of up to 5 metres tall. It has an upright, spiny growth habit with dark grey bark and oval-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn. In spring, it produces beautiful white flowers, followed by small round sloes in autumn. |  |
Blackthorn Prunus Spinosa Growth Rate
Blackthorn hedge plants exhibit a moderate growth rate, typically growing between 30-60 centimetres per year.
This allows it to quickly establish itself once planted, and provide an effective barrier or boundary in a relatively short span of time, even in a semi shade position.
Available Types of Beech Hedge Plants
Blackthorn are available as bare root and pot grown plants, each with their own advantages.
Bare Root Blackthorn Hedge Plants
Bare root Blackthorn plants are a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for your hedging needs.
These plants are sold without soil around their roots, making them easy to transport and reducing their environmental impact.
As they’re usually sold during the dormant season, they’re ready to burst into life once planted, and they’re well-suited to a wide variety of soil types, making them a flexible choice for many gardeners.
Pot Grown Blackthorn Prunus Spinosa Hedges
Pot grown Blackthorn plants offer convenience and flexibility. These cell grown plants can be planted throughout the year, so there’s no need to wait for the dormant season.
The plants, already rooted in their pots, often establish more rapidly, and their survival rate tends to be higher.
This makes pot grown options a viable choice for gardeners seeking a more immediate impact from their hedging.
