The Blackthorn

What we see here is a blackthorn – botanically known as Prunus spinosa. Strictly speaking, it’s a type of wild plum. And yes, it’s part of the rose family – even if its thorny branches might suggest otherwise.

This plant’s story is a fascinating one – and it goes way back. As early as the Neolithic period, blackthorn fruits were gathered, eaten, dried, or turned into juice. In ancient Germania, they were a much-loved wild food. Later, during the Crusades, knights returned from the Orient bringing with them new impressions – and new plants. One of them was the Damascene plum: much larger, much sweeter. Somewhere along the way, someone crossed it with the tart native blackthorn. The result? The damson plum.

Cut open a blackthorn fruit and a damson, and you’ll find they look strikingly similar – except the blackthorn is noticeably smaller and packs a sharper punch. That pleasant bitterness of the blackthorn still echoes genetically in every damson plum today.

Wild Woods in Northwest Mecklenburg

Here in Northwest Mecklenburg, blackthorns grow in a way you rarely see: powerful, tall, almost tree-like. That’s thanks to the heavy, fertile soils right near the sea. These soils have immense potential – as the locals say. While blackthorns typically reach 3 to 4 metres in height, here they grow up to twelve metres. Entire hillsides are covered in them. And when the evening sun hits, the whole place hums – a paradise for wild bees.

And it looks like this year is going to be a particularly good one for blackthorn.

Valuable for More Than Just Humans

What’s often forgotten: blackthorn – which is remarkably drought-tolerant – is a true multitasker when it comes to supporting wildlife. Its early bloom, usually before the leaves appear, offers one of the first rich sources of nectar for bees and other insects. Come autumn, when the fruit ripens, the shrubs turn into a full buffet for birds. Bullfinches, robins, fieldfares – all appreciate the small, astringent fruits, especially in winter, when food is otherwise scarce. Pheasants also enjoy them, particularly the fallen, slightly overripe ones.

Thorny Beauty – and Ecological Powerhouse

Blackthorn isn’t just tough – it’s also a fantastic hedging plant. Its dense, thorny structure provides shelter and protection for many animals – a real refuge. In landscape architecture, it’s a native classic that’s being rediscovered. It’s undemanding, frost-hardy, drought-resistant, and full of character. Its growth is wild, its presence romantic. Whether in naturalistic gardens, ecological buffer zones, or as a structural element – the blackthorn always holds its own.

You just have to give it space. And time. And a little patience.

A Final Tip

If you’re planning to harvest blackthorn fruit, wait until after the first frost. That’s when the bitterness fades and the flavour becomes softer and more aromatic. If you’re impatient, just pop them in the freezer – it mimics the frost and makes them just as palatable.

And yes, there’s a lot you can do with them: blackthorn liqueur, jelly, syrup – or simply soak them in red wine. A small glass of that on a cold winter’s night? Pure magic.