Village Country Diary Large sloes


Blackthorn blossom and ivy


NY SLOE Damson and plum blossom


mas. Two hundred years ago sloes were used steeped in water with a little cheap brandy to produce an imitation port wine. One of the interesting things about the plum family is that they can interbreed. As well as the blackthorn and cherry plum, we also have a wild native plum called bullace. This is a dark fruit, about the size of a damson but rounder. It can be quite sour but is definitely more edible than a sloe, and makes gorgeous jams and puddings. I know of three within walking distance of here. There are also of course orchard damsons and plums growing wild in the hedges. All these can interbreed with sloes. Because of this you may find blackthorn bushes with fewer thorns, larger flowers and juicier, slightly less bitter fruit. There are some around here, but people tend to keep their locations to themselves! Blackthorn wood is very hard and resilient


and was much used for walking sticks, using the natural knottiness of the wood to make


continues overleaf The Village October 2018 45


October ivy


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