American Plum, Wild Plum, American Wild Yellow Plum, American Wild Red Plum, August Plum, Canada Plum, Goose Plum, Hog Plum, American Plum, River Plum, Sloe Plum
Very showy when in bloom, Prunus americana (American Plum) is a small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub adorned with a graceful, spreading crown clothed with ovate, toothed leaves, 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm). Dark green in summer, they turn brilliant red to pale yellow in the fall. In mid-spring, a profusion of fragrant, 5-petaled white flowers held in flat-topped clusters smother the bare branches and create a terrific floral display. The blossoms give way to clusters of edible, round, red plums which ripen in early summer. The plums are attractive to birds and other wildlife and have a sour outer skin, but their juicy flesh is sweet. They can be harvested for processing into jams, jellies, preserves, and pies. The interior twigs can develop into thorns, making some plants nearly impenetrable. Usually grown for its ornamental value, this fast-growing Prunus species is good as a single specimen and suited to hedgerows.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Common names | Hog Plum, American Plum, Plum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Late) Fall |
| Height |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Spread |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, North Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Common names | Hog Plum, American Plum, Plum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Late) Fall |
| Height |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Spread |
15' - 25' (4.6m - 7.6m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
| Native Plants | United States, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, North Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Drought, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Prunus americana (American Plum) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Prunus americana (American Plum) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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