[Part time dabbler]

In my last garden I had a Sloe tree, I have now moved and I miss that tree (or at least the sloe gin I made ). Can anyone advise on varieties, whether to buy mature trees or bare root bushes and what type of soil they require?

[Dan]

Sloes are the fruit of the Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa. So there are no varieties, you just need blackthorn. Pretty much any well-drained soil, in full sun would be best.

They are relatively cheap, so it might be worth getting a bigger one in a pot. Bare-rooted shouldn't cost you any more than £1 per plant for a small number.

[Possum]

You don't necessarily need well drained soil. We are on clay which gets very soggy in the winter and have several very fruitful blackthorns.