Side by side
Plum or blackthorn? How to tell them apart
Prunus domestica · Prunus spinosa
How to tell them apart – plum: fruit tree with dull, toothed leaves, white blossom in April and plums; blackthorn: a thorny shrub with small blue sloes.
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How do you recognise them?
- Plum
- Fruit tree with dull, toothed leaves, white blossom in April and plums.
- Blackthorn
- Thorny shrub with black branches, white blossom in March before the leaves and blue sloes.
- Compared with plum: a thorny shrub with small blue sloes.
| Plum | Blackthorn | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, elliptical, 4–10 cm, toothed and dull; somewhat hairy underneath. | Alternate, small (2–4 cm), oval and finely toothed. |
| Flowering | White flowers in small clusters in April, just before or with the leaves (April). | Small white flowers, massed on the bare branches in March–April (March–April). |
| Fruit | Blue, purple, yellow or green plums with a flat stone (August–September). | Blue sloes with a waxy bloom; astringent, better after frost (sloe gin). |
| Bark | Dark greyish-brown and cracked. | Dark, almost black, with sharp, thorny side shoots. |
| Shape and height | Fruit tree, 4–8 m | Shrub, 1–4 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, normal | Full sun, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | No, naturalised | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | June–August | June–August and November–February |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Blackthorn is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
Read on
- Plant profile: Plum
- Plant profile: Blackthorn
- Plum: when and how to prune
- Blackthorn: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Blackthorn or cherry plum
- Blackthorn or hawthorn
- Apricot or plum
- Apple or plum
- Cherry plum or plum
- Plum or wild cherry
- Blackthorn or buckthorn
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.