American Plum

(Prunus americana)

American Plum (Prunus americana)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Prunus americana, commonly known as American Plum, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, grasslands, and along streams throughout the Eastern and Midwestern USA and Southern Canada. It typically reaches up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) in height and develops a broad crown with a thicket-forming habit due to its suckering roots. The American Plum is notable for its showy white flowers in midspring, followed by edible red to yellow plums in late summer. The branches are characteristically thorny.

American Plum is valued for its spring blossoms, wildlife-friendly fruit, and adaptability to a range of soil textures, excluding fine soils like silt or clay. It is often used for naturalistic plantings, wildlife gardens, and as a windbreak or hedge. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium water, with a preference for well-drained soils. While it is winter-hardy, it has low tolerance for shade, drought, and fire. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to form dense thickets through suckering, which can be managed by pruning.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
  • Height: 15-25 feet
  • Width: 15-25 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, forest edges, grasslands, and along streams

Other Names

Common Names: Goose Plum , American Red Plum , American Wild Plum , Wild Plum , Wild Red Plum , Wild Yellow Plum , Marshall’s Large Yellow Sweet Plum , Amerikapflaume , Amerikanische Pflaume , Ciruelo Americano

Scientific Names: Prunus americana , Prunus mollis , Prunus americana var. floridana , Cerasus hyemalis , Prunus coccinea , Prunus mississipi , Cerasus americana , Cerasus canadensis , Padus canadensis , Prunus acinaria

GBIF Accepted Name: Prunus americana Marshall