Beach plum (Prunus maritima) PREW-nus mah-RIT-ih-mah Genus:  Prunus

A suckering deciduous shrub with a dense, rounded form, beach plum has dull green leaves that are pale green beneath. Single or double white flowers bloom in mid-spring, maturing to edible purple fruit.

Noteworthy Characteristics: 

This shrub is native from coastal Maine to Virginia. Extremely salt tolerant.

Care: 

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil. If needed, trim after flowering.

Propagation: 

Root greenwood cuttings in early summer. Bud cultivars in summer or graft in early spring.

Problems: 

Caterpillars, borers, scale insects, aphids, leaf hoppers, nematode, and eriophyid mites. Crown gall, mushroom root rot, canker, dieback, lesions, fireblight, leaf curl, powdery mildew, mosaic and ringspot viruses.

Overview

Height 6 ft. to 10 ft. Growth Habit Spreads Light Full Sun Only Moisture Medium Moisture Characteristics Attracts Song Birds, Native, Showy Flowers, Showy Fruit Bloom Time Spring Flower Color White Uses Beds and Borders Seasonal Interest Spring Interest Type Shrubs