If ever there was a non native that should not be introduced then this is
certainly one of them. Most farmers in the UK see it as a pernicious woody
weed. It suckers underground for many yards and once established is the
British equivalent of an invasive bamboo! Except the impenetrable tangles
have thorns! Its only redeeming factors are the pretty small white flowers
and small black fruit.

It is very difficult to find any in nature that are possible to collect for
bonsai, without air layering, as the "roots" are usually at right angles and
several yards away.

I would reccomend that you try Prunus mume. It can be grown from seed or
bought in nurseries, has similar leaves, can develop into a larger specimen
eventually, has much craggier bark and comes in a variety of flower forms.

Cheers

Kev Bailey
North Wales, UK, Zone 9

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