American Plum
Deciduous shrub or small tree growing 3-8 m tall. Features finely toothed, ovate leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Produces edible, tart plums. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for wildlife and early nectar for pollinators. Suitable for naturalized areas, wildlife gardens, and edible landscapes. Native to eastern and central North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Early Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Flowers appear mid-April before leaves. Leaves emerge early May. Fruits develop green, ripening to red-yellow August-September. Reddish fall color develops October.
Wildlife Value: Fruits eaten by >40 bird species and mammals; flowers attract early pollinators; nesting sites for songbirds; hosts many butterfly species
Habit Over Time: Forms a small tree or large shrub with a spreading, somewhat irregular crown. May produce root suckers, especially when roots are disturbed, creating a thicket-like growth pattern over time. The branching structure becomes increasingly open toward the top, allowing filtered light to reach the ground. Early spring flowers appear before leaves.
Height: Medium (15-25 feet)