Blackthorn

Blackthorn flowers in early spring on bare, thorny wood before any leaf shows, in a dense white flush similar in effect to Japanese apricot but on a tougher, more cold-hardy plant. Small blue-black sloes follow flowering if left unpruned, and old bark develops a dark, rugged texture.

Care at a glance

Watering

Keep evenly moist while flowering and while fruit sets. Roughly every 1 days in spring, 1 in summer, 2 in autumn and 7 in winter.

Light

Full sun.

Winter

Hardy once established; loses its leaves and rests through winter. Protect it when the forecast drops below -8 °C.

Feeding

Every 14 days, Apr to Sep, paused in the hottest weeks.

Repotting

Every 2 to 3 years, right after flowering, in Mar.

Growth

Moderate growth. Hardy in zones 4 to 8.

The work calendar

Styles that suit it

MoyogiShakanBunjin

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