Prunus spinosa is a large deciduous native shrub ideal for dense boundary hedging. Blackthorn has thorny branches with black coloured bark in the winter with a burst of masses of fluffy white flowers in spring followed by fruit called 'sloes'  Sloes are great for mixing with gin, vodka and brandy or freeze for later.  Blackthorn is an essential ingredient for hedging mixes intended to be a barrier to animals - especially sheep and goats