I intended to upload a photo of a blackthorn bush taken while walking passed the Siemens site (s.p.b.), but it seems I pressed the video button rather than the photo and videos cannot be uploaded. I do have a photo of a large blackthorn bush and hedge taken from the car park at Bransholme shopping centre which I will upload next time.

Blackthorn is in flower at the moment, a profusion of small five petal delicate flowers that will soon fall to be replaced by leaves. The fact that the wood of the branches and twigs is very dark tends to detract from the impact of the flowers, these being one of the great colour splashes of late winter/early spring. It’s been a good season so far with few strong winds to dash the flowers. Close examination will reveal lots of small insects pollinating the flowers (too early for bees) so it should be a bumper harvest of sloes come early autumn. I have never tasted sloe jam or jelly but imagine it’s very tart.

Blackthorn planted around a garden or in a park provides very effective security from intruders, having long dagger-like thorns on most twigs. I’m surprised it’s not planted more often. However, it readily increases by suckers from the roots and is difficult to keep in place.

Blackthorn can present as shrubs or relatively small trees, the latter being impressive when in full flower.