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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
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Pop up café: Open Thursday-Saturday 10.30 - 14.30 & Sunday 11.00 - 15.00( weather permitting )
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  • PRUNUS spinosa
    PRUNUS spinosa
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    PRUNUS spinosa  PRUNUS spinosa  PRUNUS spinosa  PRUNUS spinosa  HUMULUS lupulus 'Aureus' and PRUNUS
© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. LATHYRUS latifolius 'Red Pearl' and PRUNUS
© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    PRUNUS spinosa

    Commonly known as Blackthorn, Sloe

    FRUITING CHERRIES

    White flowers
    open ground available NOV-FEB
    plant size comparison icon
    Bare Rooted available NOV-FEB only   - Click to view photo
    Delivery Information
    Available again from NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025
    £2.00 each 
    Available again from NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025 - Despatch will be anytime during November or December as stock becomes available. Bareroot hedging and roses can be delayed by unfavourable weather conditions.
     
    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Flowering
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      Apr
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    • Good to know
      UK native. Wildlife plant - nectar for insects, nesting site for birds. Suckers freely. Traditional wood for the Irish shillelagh. The fruit for sloe gin.
    • Pests & Diseases
      Honey fungus
    • Place of origin
      Europe to Russia (western Siberia), Mediterranean
    • Deciduous
      mid- to deep-green leaves to 5cm (2in) long.
    • White
    • Bowl-shaped
    • Coastal / windswept
    • Fully hardy
    • Serrulate
    • Elliptic
    • Obovate
    • Height
      5m (16ft)
    • Spread
      4m (13ft)
    • Hedge
      Ideal for hedging
      Suitable for a coastal hedge
    • Tall Shrub
    • Tree
      Dense, bushy, spiny shrub or small tree. Produces solitary, rarely paired, flowers to 1.5cm (½in) across before the leaves. Glaucous black fruit to fruit to 1.5cm (½in) across.
    • Pruning group 1
      Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
      Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
      When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

    • Hardy - very cold winter
      Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe. Plant can possibly withstand temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F)
    • Spring Seasonal Interest
    • Fertile moist well-drained soil
      Moderately fertile
    • Full sun
    • Partial shade
    • Rounded to broadly spreading
    • Bee friendly
    • Bird friendly
    • Rabbit Resistant
    • Mature Size
      5m (16ft)
      tree - guide for size not form Average Person
        4m (13ft)
       
    View Detailed Plant Description

     

    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Cold weather damage to evergreen plants
    Prunus / Fruiting Cherry Trees - Growing Guide
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    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
    Small - 60g sachet
    £3.00
    Medium - 150gm sachet
    £6.00
    Large - 360gram sachet
    £12.00
    Unavailable
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    Improves vegetable, fruit and flower quality. Blood, Fish and Bone contains three major nutrients essential for strong and healthy growth.
    1.5 kg
    £6.50
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