Anyone grew Blackthorn Hedging - Prunus Spinosa?

[4390evans]

Anyone grew Blackthorn Hedging - Prunus Spinosa before? <- eh eh see what I done there hahaha RHS class paying of eh lol.



How have you grown it, does it take a long time to establish and provide fruit?

Thanks guys
Jen x

[veggiechicken]

I'm impressed with your Latin, Jen, but not by the thought of a Sloe hedge. Very thorny and painful.
I have a couple of sloe bushes - and that's enough for me.

[4390evans]

Im trying to get some native fruit for the garden that I can use for alcohol, jams, cordials etc.
If anyone has any recommendations they are very welcome. We have already made elderberry and blackberry cordials and that went down well with the kids, also made jellies and jams. Just want more cos Im greedy haha

Or can cuttings be taken from a bush and how long before I get a berry from them? There should be a one at the college... hopefully

[veggiechicken]

Try this thread for ideas, http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_82136.html

[PyreneesPlot]

I have a self-established hedge which is about 50% blackthorn; the rest is maple, cornus, oak, rose, bramble, birch and hawthorn and grew just from the point where we stopped cutting the field. The first small crop of sloes came along last year (year three) and this year there has been loads of fruit.

[Zelenina]

I saw a lot of blackthorn hedges around the fields when I lived in Ireland. It's very pretty in spring when it's covered with white blossom, but it's used mainly because of the fierce thorns that prevent cattle pushing through. I wouldn't think it's great for a normal sized garden though, and not very child friendly.

[Glutton4...]

Prunus spinosa will sucker like a b... and invade your garden border/lawn/path...

Just saying!

[4390evans]

Do you think I could keep Prunus spinosa in a pot?

[4390evans]

I bought some blackcurrants, gooseberries and blackberries from home base today, was going to buy a fig tree but Im tight haha

[meteor]

A large part of my plot is surrounded by an ancient blackthorn hedge, long neglected it had grown wild and out of control into a small forest. Over the large two years I have been trying to whip it into shape by chopping, prunning and layering. What a nightmare! thorns rip clothes even footware to shreds, one particular long thorn pierced my protective chainsaw leggings last spring of 2013 and I ended up with an infected shin which took months to heal. While great for a livestock barrier on a farm and beautiful in spring I wouldn't recommend it for a small garden or where children are likely to play. On the plus side the prunnings and felled logs make the best firewood ever

[rosiepumpkin]

I was thinking of planting a short blackthorn hedge bordering my allotment plot.mIt's on the edge of the site.

Is it worth it if it's for security too?

[sparrow100]

I was thinking of planting a short blackthorn hedge bordering my allotment plot.mIt's on the edge of the site.

Is it worth it if it's for security too?

I'd think so - but then brambles might be just as good and a bit easier to control. Blackthorn is a problem if you let it get out of control, including the root system and its tendency to sucker.