Canadian Plum
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 6-10 m tall. Features ovate leaves with double-serrated edges and showy white to pink flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Produces edible, dark purple plums. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for wildlife and early nectar for pollinators. Cold-hardy. Suitable for naturalized areas and edible landscapes in colder regions. Native to northeastern North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Early-Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Moist-Drained
Phenology: Flowers appear mid-April before leaves. Leaves emerge early May. Fruits develop green, ripening to yellow-red August. Orange fall color develops early October.
Wildlife Value: Early spring flowers vital for native bees; fruits eaten by birds and mammals; good nesting sites for songbirds; larval host for butterflies
Habit Over Time: Develops into a small tree with a rounded crown and ascending branches. While it can produce root suckers, especially when stressed, it typically maintains a more tree-like form than P. americana. The canopy allows enough light penetration for understory planting. Spring flowers on bare branches create dramatic early season interest.
Height: Tall (20-30 feet)