AMERICAN PLUM

Prunus americana

Height: 10-15'
Width: 10-15'
Hardiness Zone: 3
Exposure: Sun
Origin: North America

Description:

American Plum is a large shrub or small tree with an upright-rounded form. In the wild it often suckers to form dense, spreading thickets of multi-stemmed shrubs. American Plum can also be grown as a small, single-trunked tree by regularly pruning off sucker growth. This hardy native has thin, dark green leaves that generally do not develop any fall color. American Plum blooms very early in the spring, before the foliage emerges. The fragrant, 1” diameter white flowers are borne in profusion along the branches. The 1” long fruits ripen from yellow to red in late summer. These plums can be used to make jelly or jam and are also valuable as food for wildlife.

Site and Cultural Requirements:

American Plum tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, with the exception of wet, poorly drained soil. Best growth occurs on moderately moist but well drained soil. American Plum is fairly drought tolerant. Its thicket-forming nature makes American Plum a good choice for naturalized areas and wind breaks. Single-stemmed trees make good accent plants in residential landscapes, though suckering must be controlled. American Plum is somewhat short-lived. Use American Plum as a pollinator for edible hybrid plums such as ‘Alderman’, ‘La Crescent’, ‘Pipestone’, and ‘Superior’.

Insect/Disease Issues:

American Plum is susceptible to several leaf spot and fruit diseases, and to certain borers and leaf-chewing insects. Most problems have limited impact on long term health of the plant, though borers can do serious damage to stressed trees. Black knot fungus is a common sight on wild American plums in some areas of New England.

 

 

We would like to thank the Landscape Plant Development Center and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for the botanical information and photos.

Open 9:00 AM until Sunset
Closed Mondays, open holidays
Phone: (515)-992-4211
Email: info@thebrentonarboretum.org