Anyone know what this shrub is called? 31 July 2011 at 10:20AM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 9 replies 2.2K views

MrsE_2

Will try & add a picture if I can hobble down the garden. I stepped on one of the thorns yesterday & I'm sore.

Its a big tall bushy shrub. It has blue berries that look just like blueberries but the most savage thorns, each thorn is easily an inch or two long.

Its the thorns that I think it will be identified by.

Anyone know what this shrub is called?

Money_maker

Could be sloes



Wicked thorns!

MrsE_2

Money_maker wrote: »

Could be sloes



Wicked thorns!

Thats them:eek::eek::eek:

Went right through my crocs & foot when I stepped on a cutting:(

MrsE_2

This

http://www.irelandlogue.com/files/2007/02/blackthorn.jpg

Its the same thing isn't it?

Blackthorn bush & the berries are sloe berries?

floyd

If they are sloes, this stuff is an absolute winner! :beer:

http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/the-great-sloe-gin-challenge-three-variations-of-our-recipe-442

Emuchops

Could it be a mahonia?

maypole

It looks a little early for them to be that colour. It's usually later on when they turn dark. Is that right?.....anybody more knowledgeable

Money_maker

Mine are mostly blue black now but some still have green tinges on them. Bit like blueberries with some blue and some still turning.

I'm down south like the OP so probably hers are at a similar stage.

lostinrates

I'm south, mine are still green, but otoh so are my blackberries, where as three miles down the road I picked them three weeks ago! Its a werid year.

Sloes are generally considered best after the first frost. If they are black now then goodness knows when to pick them.

cheeswright

def sloes
ours are black ( south again) but not ripe yet - still rock hard - wait for 1st frost before picking