How to grow Butterfly from Blackthorn Berry with Kesser and Steen, Nature and Innovation class

How to grow Butterfly from Blackthorn Berry. A Natural History and Cultivation of the Blackthorn Shrub. Today we talk over the blackthorn, a hardy, thorny shrub known as slåen in Danish, through a mix of botanical facts and the two characters, Kesser and Steen. This plant is easily identified by its stiff thorns, small white spring blossoms, and bitter blue berries that turn sweet only after a period of frost. These sources highlight the shrub's significant role in biodiversity, noting that it serves as an essential food source for birds and a critical host for various butterfly species. Practical advice is also included for enthusiasts who wish to propagate the plant using either its seeds or woody cuttings. Ultimately, the text illustrates how this wild species can be integrated into gardens and hedges to support local wildlife and improve the natural environment. Blackthorn Kesser and Steen cycled past an area on the way to Aunt Green, where there were some medium-sized bushes with nice blue berries that reminded them a lot of blueberries, but they had thorns on them and looked completely different, but the berry itself just looked like blueberries.. until Kesser popped a berry in his hand and there was only one large core - no more small ones in a circle in the middle 🥝 📲 The boys were a bit busy because of their appointment, so Steen took a few pictures of the “fruit” and the plant, so they could try to search the internet and show them if they met anyone on their way who might know about the plant.. The blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) is a densely branched, heavily thorny and deciduous shrub in the rose family, which typically grows to 2-3 meters tall. Characteristics: Branches and thorns: Stiff, tightly spaced branches with long, slender branch thorns of 1-2 cm. Flowers: Small, white flowers that appear in April before the leaves. Fruits: Round, blue-black stone fruits (sloeberries) with a bluish “dew”. The fruits are very sour and bitter, but become sweeter and more tasty after the first frost. Growing location and care Light: Prefers full sun, but also tolerates partial shade. Soil: Not particularly demanding and does well on most Danish soil types, both dry and moist soil. Nature and garden life: Easily forms dense thickets via root suckers. It is excellent for strengthening biodiversity, as it is an important food plant for insects and birds, as well as a host plant for the larvae of the butterfly species goldtail. “But for God’s sake, Kesser, there are butterflies that absolutely love this forest plant.. maybe we should try to get these seeds here to sprout..?” says Steen, with a tasty fruit in one hand and his mobile phone in the other.. “yes, good idea, maybe we could give some plants away so people could put them up instead of buying winter food for the birds..” replies Kesser, who hasn’t thought about Steen’s business idea at all “or grow Bonsai!!” adds Steen ✂️ Butterflies The sedge is particularly important for butterflies and moths such as the Evening Peacock Eye, the Golden Tail and the Sedge Butterfly, which depend on it as a host plant for their eggs. #blacktorn #growyourownfood #habitat Copyright 2026 - Flamme Rouge 🚩 Nature