American Plum
American plum is a small, native deciduous tree or large shrub found naturally between forests and open grasslands. Fragrant white flowers appear before the leaves emerge in spring.
It produces small, red plums which are quite attractive to birds, but are only somewhat palatable to humans. Its leaves are a shiny medium to dark green in color in summer, changing to yellow and orange in fall.
Specimens in the wild often spread into large, thicket-like colonies.
American Plum
American plum is a small, native deciduous tree or large shrub found naturally between forests and open grasslands. Fragrant white flowers appear before the leaves emerge in spring.
It produces small, red plums which are quite attractive to birds, but are only somewhat palatable to humans. Its leaves are a shiny medium to dark green in color in summer, changing to yellow and orange in fall.
Specimens in the wild often spread into large, thicket-like colonies.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Prunus americana
Pronunciation
PROO-nus a-mer-ih-KAH-na
Mature Height
10 to 30 ft.
Mature Spread
8 by 12 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
white
Bloom time
May
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
central and eastern US
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-8
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
One tree-form American plum grows in low water zone at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. It has proven to be a drought-tolerant tree with attractive white flowers in spring. It occasionally produces fruit, which is moderately palatable. It is sometimes damaged by deer.
Maintenance
Remove lower branches and suckers to preserve a single-trunked specimen. Prune when young to develop a strong tree when mature.