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 provide nectar for pollinators and give way to clusters of edible, round, red plums that ripen in early summer. The plums have a sour outer skin but sweet, juicy flesh and can be harvested for jams, jellies, preserves, and pies.
American Plum is also a valuable wildlife plant. It serves as a larval host for the Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax). The fruits are eaten by songbirds, wild turkeys, quail, white-tailed deer, and small mammals. Deer also browse the twigs and leaves, while dense thickets provide year-round cover for songbirds and small mammals.
The interior twigs can develop into thorns, making some plants nearly impenetrable. Usually grown for its ornamental value, this fast-growing Prunus species works well as a specimen, in hedgerows, or in wildlife plantings where its suckering habit and dense growth are an advantage.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Common names | 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) |
| Spacing | 180" - 300" (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 | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Tolerances | Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Heat, Black Walnut, Fire, Erosion |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Butterfly Garden, Informal and Cottage, Pollinator Garden |
| Toxic to Humans | Medium severity |
| Toxic to Cats | Toxic |
| Toxic to Dogs | Toxic |
| Toxic to Horses | Toxic |
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree |
| Common names | 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) |
| Spacing | 180" - 300" (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 | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Tolerances | Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Heat, Black Walnut, Fire, Erosion |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Birds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
| Garden Styles | Butterfly Garden, Informal and Cottage, Pollinator Garden |
| Toxic to Humans | Medium severity |
| Toxic to Cats | Toxic |
| Toxic to Dogs | Toxic |
| Toxic to Horses | Toxic |
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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