Blackthorn Pollen Color

Blackthorn pollen is shown in the red and rust color family as general visual guidance. Use this page as a reference for pollen appearance, bloom timing, USDA hardiness zone, plant type, and bee forage value.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Visual guideBlackthorn pollen
Blackthorn white blossoms used as an early spring pollen reference

Image source: Wikipedia

Plant Facts

SeasonSpring
USDA Zone4 - 7
Plant TypeShrub
ForagePollen and nectar
Pollen ValueMedium
Nectar ValueLow
Honey TypeNo named honey type listed
Color FamilyRed and rust
Scientific NamePrunus spinosa
Common NamesBlackthorn, Sloe
Color ConfidenceModerate
Color MethodSource synthesis
Reviewed2026-07-12

Quick Answer

Blackthorn pollen is shown in this guide as a red and rust tone. It is listed as shrub, associated with spring bloom timing, USDA zone 4 - 7, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Blackthorn is grouped broadly with red and rust pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Blackthorn is listed for spring and USDA zone 4 - 7. Approximate bloom months: March, April. USDA hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as medium and nectar value marked as low. Blackthorn may provide early forage where hedges are abundant, though cold weather can limit bee flight during bloom.

No named honey type listed is the honey-type note currently attached to this plant record. Use the values here as a field-guide reference rather than a local bloom guarantee.

Identification Notes

Blackthorn is a thorny shrub with white flowers that often appear before leaves. Use thorny hedgerow habit and very early spring bloom timing with pollen color.

Flower color note: White. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Almond - Red and rust Red Dead Nettle - Red and rust Gorse - Red and rust Field Bean - Orange and amber Lupin - Red and rust Ash - Orange and amber

Related by Season

Apple - Spring Ash - Spring Asparagus - Spring Bell Heath - Spring Berberis - Spring Birch - Spring

Related by Plant Type

Bell Heath - Shrub Berberis - Shrub Blackberry - Shrub Blueberry - Shrub Box - Shrub Broom - Shrub

Related by USDA Zone

Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Apple - Zone 3 - 6 Ash - Zone 4 - 9 Asparagus - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Apple - Pollen and nectar Asparagus - Pollen and nectar Aster - Pollen and nectar

Sources

PollenColor plant dataset
PollenColor / reviewed 2026-07-12
pollen color guide, season, USDA zone, plant type, forage value USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
Missouri Botanical Garden / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant identification, flowering context, garden plant descriptions Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link