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Why wont my Blackthorn bloom?

hounds_starhounds_star Posts: 1
in Problem solving

Hi, I have tried for a good few years now to grow blackthorn in my garden but they never blossom for me. At first I thought this was because the plants were young - but as they became established, all I ever got was leaves. So then I thought I had been sold something else in error and bought another Prunus Spinosa - they are always sold bare rooted in late autumn, so no way of telling if they will, or have, blossomed. Again I waited patiently for Spring - but only leaves appeared. Again I waited yet another year and again, this tree too has only produced leaves without flowering first.

Pleases can anyone help and advise me how to get the beautiful, white, Spring blossom that I crave?

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    I am amazed - they flower all around here. Are they in full sun with a bit of shelter from the coldest wind? Have you pruned or reduced growth at all? Do you think you are feeding them so well they don't bother? They seem to grow best in heavy but poor soil near me.

  • 15grassmount15grassmount Posts: 1
    hounds_star I have exactly the same problem. Three plants on south london clay, full sun, I don’t feed. I do prune a bit - is that a problem? They seem to flower so prolifically in the wild!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'll get less flowers if you're pruning - ie as  a hedge.
    They're very very tough, in any location, and in clay soil etc. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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