American plum

Description

Latin: ‘Prunus americana’

Height: Up to 20 ft

Spread: 15 feet, plant 5-10 foot spacing for Shelterbelt purposes

Sun exposure: Full sun- partial shade

Hardiness zone: 2+

Root system: Fibrous, Suckering

Growth rate: Moderate – Fast

Lifespan: 30+ years

Plug material

The American plum, also known as Red Plum or Wild Plum is a very hardy, native plum that can be grown either as a small fruiting tree or allowed to form a dense shrub thicket. It is commonly used for edible landscaping, wildlife plantings, shelterbelts and as a pollinator for compatible plums.

American Plum is clothed in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has green deciduous foliage. Come fall, the leaves will be an outstanding yellow.

The American plum is used for both ornamental and culinary purposes. The yellow/orange flesh inside is processed as preserves, jellies, jam and wine. Blooms are intoxicatingly fragrant which make a superb liqueur! A ripe plum will fall into your hand at the slightest touch. Fallen plums means they are ripe. The fruits are showy gold drupes with a ruby-red colour, found mid summer. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit. The 1 inch in diameter fruits have a tart taste and a fleshy texture.

This multi-stemmed shrub/small tree comes with a spreading, ground-hugging growth habit. Twigs are glabrous to puberulent, reddish, becoming gray, forming thorns. Development of suckers from the root system makes American plum effective in stabilizing stream banks and gullies.

It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH.

Seedling size is approximately 12” tall , 1 year old.