The blackthorn with its impressive flowers and autumnal fruit decoration is an ornament in the home garden. However, due to the sprawling root shoots, the pretty thorny bush can become a problem in some locations.
How should sloes be planted correctly?
Planting sloes correctly: Choose a sunny location with dry, well-drained and calcareous soil. Make sure there is enough space for the roots and root runners. Container plants should be planted in spring or fall, root crops in fall.
The blackthorn loves dry soil
Sloes prefer a sunny spot in the garden. The shrub tolerates drought far better than too much moisture. The wild fruit bushes prefer loose soil that should be nutrient-rich, permeable and calcareous. The frugal blackthorn copes well even with stony ground. The ideal pH value of the soil is 6 – 8.5.
Planting blackthorn correctly
- Dig the planting hole large enough to accommodate the spread roots
- Remove diseased root shoots carefully
- Mix the plant substrate with a suitable fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon)
- Tamp down the soil so that all air holes at the roots close
- Water the shrub after planting
You can plant sloes all year round. The best time to plant container plants is spring and fall; root crops should always be planted in fall. If you are planning a blackthorn hedge as a property boundary, you must plan for two blackthorns per meter.
Set limits for the root sprouts
Since sloes can reach a height of three meters, they are not suitable for planting under other trees. When planting, please note that the thorny shrub spreads through root runners. Garden owners often complain that they have a lot of trouble with the blackthorn root network, as this can form runners up to ten meters long.
So that you don't have to laboriously dig up the roots or even remove the bush after a few years, it is recommended to use a root barrier to keep the sprawling growth within the desired limits. Concrete shaft rings with a depth of fifty centimeters installed in the ground are recommended for this.
Evergreen bushes keep the blackthorn small
The extensive root system makes blackthorn ideal if you want to fortify a slope. If it is not possible to create a root barrier in the soil for garden design reasons, you can also keep the blackthorn small by using competitive plants and regular pruning. Evergreen and fast-growing deciduous shrubs such as the yew or cherry laurel are best suited for this.
Tips & Tricks
Concrete manhole rings are prefabricated concrete parts that are mainly used in the construction of sewer pipes. You can get these in any well-stocked hardware store.
