wild plum
Prunus americana
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size15 to 25 feet tall15 to 25 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Wild plum (Prunus americana) is a tree for borders, hedges, food gardens, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Fragrant white flowers open in spring before the leaves. The shiny red plums are grown for fresh eating, jellies, and preserves. It spreads by root sprouts, so give it room.
Pairs well with Staghorn sumac, American hornbeam, Nodding onion, and Sensitive fern.
Native range
Eastern and central North America.