Blackthorn | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Rose
Family (botanic) Rosaceae
Tree or plant type Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Non-native
Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Acid soil, Alkaline soil, Moist, Sandy soil, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Road salt
Season of interest mid spring, early fall
Flower color and fragrance White
Shape or form Open, Oval, Upright
Growth rate Moderate

Native geographic location and habitat:

Blackthorn is native to Europe, Scandinavia, Siberia, and Iran.

Attracts birds or pollinators:

Its fleshy fruit attracts songbirds and game birds.

Bark color and texture:

The branches of blackthorn are stiff, blackish-brown, and spiny.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The blackthorn’s leaves are alternate and elliptical to oval in shape. They are 1 1/2 to 2 inches long with a pointed tip and serrated leaf margins. Blackthorn’s leaves are dark green and change to yellow in the fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

In the early spring, blackthorns have five-petaled, creamy-white flowers in small clusters which bloom before leaves emerge. The flowers are insect pollinated.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

The fruit is a black berry with a purple-blue waxy bloom, ripening in autumn. The berries are tart and astringent, often used in jams and for medicinal purposes.