Jesse Saylor
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Prunus maritima
Plant Common Name
Beach Plum
General Description
The traditional source of beach plum jelly, this hardy, suckering, deciduous shrub is a signature plant of coastal dunes from New Brunswick to Maryland. Typically low-growing in its windswept native haunts, it can attain small-tree stature in less demanding conditions.
The toothed, oval, dull green leaves with paler fuzzy undersides emerge in mid-spring, shortly after the small, white, bee-pollinated flowers open. The abundant blooms occur in numerous small clusters on the previous year's growth. Grape-size edible fruits develop in summer, ripening from green to dull purple or crimson (or yellow in f. flava). The fruits, which vary widely in flavor, are most often used for jellies or preserves, but are also eaten fresh.
This shrub or small tree often suckers from its roots to form thickets. Its reddish brown bark provides winter interest.
Grow beach plum in full sun in any well-drained soil. Although a terrific plant for seaside gardens or windy locales, it often prospers elsewhere provided soil is not too rich or wet. Lowest branches (as well as root suckers) can be pruned away to form a picturesque small tree suitable as a garden focal point. Beach plum also makes an excellent naturalistic hedge, buffer or windbreak. Several Prunus maritima cultivars (including 'Eastham' and 'Cotuit') introduced in the early to mid-twentieth century are apparently lost to horticulture. A seed-grown strain of compact, precocious, heavy-fruiting beach plums is offered by Oikos Tree Crops of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Yellow, Purple, Crimson
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Yellow Green
-
Bark Color
Brown
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
Yes
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Bark Texture
Smooth
-
Usage
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Wildflower
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Attracts
Birds
-
Self-Sowing
No
