Blackthornis a small, thorny shrub that is cultivated as a fruit plant and planted in hedges. It blooms beautifully, and small, navy blue sloe fruits are a delicacy of birds. In this article you will learn more aboutthe use of blackthornin gardening, you will learnrequirements and rules for growing blackthornin gardens, and how to trim blackthornand remove its roots.
Blackthorn - Prunus spinosa
Fig. pixabay.com
Blackthorn - description and application
Blackthorn(Prunus spinosa) grows widely throughout Europe and in the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia. It belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). The history of plum cultivation dates back to antiquity - it was cultivated by the Greeks, Romans, Persians and Syrians. In Poland of the first Piastsblackthorn was an important component of the dietand plant medications.
Tarnina found its placein folk tales and superstitions. Blackthorn bushes were planted in the graves of suicides, as it was believed that thanks to this, they would not be able to get out of the ground and scare people. Today, blackthorn growing wild are found on roadsides, in groves and on the edge of forests.
Tarnina is usually a shrub with a loose habitor a small tree, reaching up to 3 meters in height. The shoots are covered with elliptical, 4-5 cm leaves with serrated edges and thin, long thorns.
In early spring, from March to May, the bush is covered with white, honey-bearing flowers.Thanks to these flowers, blackthorn is an excellent honey plant favored by bees and butterflies.Blackthorn flowersappear on the bush before the leaves develop. Blueberry-shaped, spherical fruits ripen in autumn. They remain on the shoots as food for the birds.
Flowers on the blackthorn appear before the leaves develop
Fig. pixabay.com
Slightsloe fruits , also known as sowing plum, are tart and sour. After freezing, the content of tannins and acids is reduced. Then they become tastier and suitable for preserves. They are used to prepare jams, preserves, juices, liqueurs and wine. They are high in carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, pectins and tannins.Blackthorn fruits have been used in phytotherapy - they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They are low in calories and support the treatment of stomach and intestinal diseases.
Note!Do not eat sloe seeds. Sloe kernels are highly poisonous to humans because they contain prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide). Even a small amount of them is poisonous, and if consumed in large amounts, they can even lead to death. They should not be chewed in the first place. Accidentally swallowed whole they are not that dangerous.
Alsoblackthorn flowers are used in medicineThey contain flavonoids, incl. quercetin and kaempferol, as well as sugars and minerals. The infusion of flowers relieves inflammation of the urinary tract and kidneys. It has a cleansing and laxative effect. The astringent effect of the infusion is used to inhibit hemorrhage.
There areornamental varieties of blackthorn plum(with pink flowers and maroon leaves) in the gardens, but there are not many of them. This species is popular in naturalistic and rural gardens. It looks good in the company of species such as juniper, hazel, hawthorn, willow and barberry.
Fruits of the sloe plum
Fig. pixabay.com
Most often, however,Blackthorn is planted as an informal hedgeThe spiked shrubs are densely branched and have numerous root suckers. Compact brush is a good alternative to a fence. When planting blackthorn plants for a hedge, place 4-5 cuttings per m².
Blackthorn spreads very quickly through suckers and creeping roots, so it is often used as a planting plant on slopes. Its thickets are a refuge for many species of birds.
Blackthorn - cultivation and requirements
Tarnina is an undemanding speciesLikes alkaline substrates and quite fertile. Besides, it can grow in any position, as long as it has enough sun. He feels best in full sun and partial shade. It is a frost-resistant species (included in the plant frost resistance zone 4), so it will survive the winter without the use of covers.Blackthorns do not require watering or fertilizing.
We collect blackthorn fruits after the first frostWe can also collect them earlier and freeze them in a freezer for 1-2 days before use.
Harvesting blackthorn flowers is carried out before the leaves appear. It is best to choose a dry, warm and sunny day. After spreading the flowers in the sun, we dry them until they turn cream. Store in closed vessels, protected against moisture.
Blackthorn in the backyard garden
Fig. pixabay.com
Blackthorn - pruning
Blackthorn does not require pruning for good growthbut if we decide to prune, blackthorn tolerates it very well. This bush has a lot of branches, so you can adjust the shape of the crown so that it does not run out of control. In the case of blackthorn planted on a hedge, cutting will even be necessary.
The bestblackthorn pruning dateis the end of winter and early spring (February to March) in periods when there are no severe frosts. Bushes can also be trimmed at the end of summer and fall. However, never trim blackthorn during bird nesting, because this plant is very popular with them and is an ideal shelter.
Tothin the old, neglected blackthorn , remove the oldest shoots close to the ground. We also cut out twigs that overly thicken the bush, crossing each other and all damaged and withered.
Note!
When cutting blackthorn plum be careful of long thorns that can cut our hands. It is obligatory to wear protective gloves. For cutting, we use garden saws and two-arm secateurs, which can handle hard blackthorn shoots.
Blackthorn - removing roots
Massively appearingblackthorn root suckerscan take over a small garden, so it is worth cutting them regularly.Not only can shoots drown out other plants adjacent to the blackthorn, but also weaken the mother plant, negatively affecting the development of the plum.
In order toproperly remove blackthorn shootsit is best to remove the top layer of the substrate first. We uncover the root from which the regrowth grows and remove it at the very root. Suckers cannot be used. You cannot make cuttings out of them, because they do not repeat the characteristics of the mother plant, and the plants obtained from them quickly become wild.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
