Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Prunus spinosa or Blackthorn

The genus Prunus, family Rosaceae, comprises 200 species of trees and shrubs native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Some species are: Prunus spinosa, Prunus persica, Prunus mahaleb, Prunus lusitanica, Prunus laurocerasus, Prunus incisa, Prunus dulcis, Prunus cerasifera, Prunus avium, Prunus domestica, Prunus serrulata, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus cerasus.

Common names: Blackthorn, Sloe. This species is native to Europe.

They are deciduous shrubs with thorny and tangled branches that can be 4 meters (13.12 feet) high. The leaves are oval, alternately arranged, bright green and with a serrated margin. The abundant white flowers appear before the leaves. They bloom in early spring. They produce edible fruits (sloes or scratches) of bluish, violet or blackish color that are used in the elaboration of the well-known liquor pacharán (in Spain).

They are used to form impenetrable hedges, windbreaks, as isolated specimens and in bushy groups. It's convenient to plant several specimens because they are self-sterile.

Prunus spinosa grows in full sun or semi-shade exposures. They resist frost well.

They grow in a garden soil with 20% coarse sand and 15% organic matter.

Water regularly so that the substrate is always slightly damp. They do not resist drought.

Prune in late winter to keep it compact and control growth; they tend to spread from suckers that sprout from the roots.

Fertilize with compost or manure in late winter.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated from cuttings separating the suckers that the plant produces at the base.

Images of the shrub Prunus spinosa or Blackthorn