Wild Plum

Scientific name

Prunus americana

Description

Wild Plum, or American Plum is a deciduous fruit tree that grows to a height of 6 m. The leaves are 4-12 cm long, oval shaped, and have sharp, pointed teeth along the margins. The fragrant flowers are arranged in flat-topped clusters of 2-4 white flowers, with 5 petals each. These showy white flowers bloom in late April to early June. The fruits are yellow to red plums that ripen from August to September. The edible fruits are valued for their use in pies and preserves, but caution should be taken, as all parts of the tree except the flesh and skin of fruit contains hydrocyanic acid. It can grow as a small tree or tall shrub and spreads through its root system to form dense thickets. The root system of Wild Plum can be used to stabilize banks and prevent erosion.

Planting conditions

Wild Plum prefers moist well-drained loamy type soils. It grows best in soils with neutral pH and also does well where limestone bedrock is present. It thrives in sun or partial shade, but fruits are more successful in full sun conditions. Wild Plum can be found growing naturally in mixed woodlands, pastures, and along stream banks and swamps.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Loamy
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
  • 8a
  • 8b
• Plant type:
  • Tree
• Height:
  • 6 m
• Spread:
  • 6 m