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A Prickly, Edible Hedge - Blackthorn


Ferdinand

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This blog post is just to note the possibility of using Blackthorn (also known as sloe) as a hedge - which was not one I had thought about.

 

Blackthorn will grow into a small tree, but can also be made into a hedge; personally I think it might be attractive as one species in an informal hedge. The fruit can be made into jams, jellies or flavoured gin. Unlike many gin flavourings, it is far more than a tinge - you *know* that it has sloes in it.

 

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It also has white flowers between March and June, and is hardy throughout the UK.

 

Do any buildhubbers have blackthorn in their hedges? Are there any problems?

 

My garden is entirely walled or fenced, but I think I might find room for a bush to grow to perhaps 2.5 or 3m high. For the birds, you understand. And the gin.

 

 

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@dnb sloes + Bramleys = sloe jelly. Bit of a family tradition over here and far tastier than redcurrant or cranberry jelly. A Christmas favourite. You do need several kilos of sloes tho...

Edited by Conor
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11 hours ago, Conor said:

@dnb sloes + Bramleys = sloe jelly. Bit of a family tradition over here and far tastier than redcurrant or cranberry jelly. A Christmas favourite. You do need several kilos of sloes tho...

 

I'll have 10% of that as well.

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I’ve just done my first batches of hedgerow gins and vodkas. Using sloes, hawthorn berries, blackberries and rose hips. 
 

That’s Christmas sorted! ?

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3 minutes ago, Gav_P said:

I’ve just done my first batches of hedgerow gins and vodkas. Using sloes, hawthorn berries, blackberries and rose hips. 
 

That’s breakfast sorted! ?

 

  • Haha 1
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I decanted the sloe vodka today. Had to taste it because it wouldn't all fit in the bottles.

A little bitter now but this will reduce as it ages. Something to drink at the end of the summer.

 

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I bottled my hedgerow vodka and gin just before Christmas.... it was surprisingly nice tasting, so much so I’ve got through 2 litres of it! 
I also gave a few bottles away for Christmas gifts and they proved very popular. 
 

Ill probably double the batch size this year. 

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