Beach Plum

The Beach Plum, Prunus maritima, is a round, dense shrub found normally on the East Coast along the shore.

The fruits of the Beach plum are much smaller than some of the domestic plums. The edible fruit is round and ½ to ¾ inches in diameter. This delicious fruit is dull purple in color and ripens in August and may be used for jams and jellies.

There is a profusion of beautiful flowers that are white, single or double and bloom in early May. They develop in axillary clusters of two or three. After pollination occurs by bees or wind, the flowers become pinkish in color!

It is well adapted to drought sites with moderately fertile, slightly acidic, loamy and sandy soils. Once this shrub is established, it requires little or no maintenance. In the winter remove any dead or damaged branches which keeps the bush open for good air circulation.

Beach plum does not perform well on heavy clay soils, but will tolerate moderately well drained conditions. Although it can put up with poor conditions, the Beach Plum will grow best, and give you the best show of flowers and fruit, if you give it a moderately good soil and keep the soil moist; pick a sunny spot with good drainage.

Plant Beach plum where you can always enjoy its spectacular show of blooms in the spring!

* Edible fruit

* Dense shrub

* Low maintenance