Blooming Blackthorn

Encountering a thicket of Blackthorn in full bloom is one of nature’s delights. Blackthorn blossoms in March and early April with clouds of snow-white flowers before its leaves emerge. It’s early appearance makes it a vital source of early spring nectar and pollen for pollinators like honeybees, short-tongued bumblebees, and mining bees. Blackthorn is a hermaphrodite, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are found in one flower. After pollination by insects, the flowers develop into blue-black fruits which can be used to make sloe gin. Spiny and densely branched, mature trees can grow to a height of around 6–7m and live for up to 100 years. This thicket of Blackthorn was found in a small patch of ancient woodland in Betchworth.