Growing to 3-8′ tall, beach plum is a deciduous suckering shrub or small tree native to Northeastern US from Maine south to Maryland where it grows in sand dunes. It is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes apple, lady’s mantle, and goat’s beard. The plant has reddish stems and dull green, egg-shaped leaves that are 2-3″ long and have finely toothed margins. Green on top, paler and softly hairy below, the leaves become red to orange in the fall. In spring, small umbel-like clusters of white flowers that are 3/8-5/8″ long appear before the leaves emerge. Each flower has large yellow anthers and 5 white petals that turn pink after fertilization. The flowers give way to edible drupes that are 5/8-3/4″ across, usually purple to almost black, and are attractive to birds and small mammals. The fruits may be sweet, tart or bitter and are used to makes jams and jellies. Beach plum suckers, may form dense thickets, and is tolerant of lean soil, drought and salt spray. It is an excellent choice for dune restoration as well as a specimen tree or hedge. The genus name, Prunus, comes from the Greek word προύνη meaning plum, a prominent member of this genus. The specific epithet, maritima, is the Latin word meaning of the seas, and refers to the preferred habitat of the plant.
Type: Deciduous shrub or tree
Outstanding Feature: Fruit, flowers
Form: Rounded
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom: Clusters of white flowers with large yellow anthers in spring
Size: 3-8′ H x 3-8′ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Lean, dry, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 3-7
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Many disease and pest problems similar to other members of the rose family
Propagation: Seed, division, stem and root cuttings,
Outstanding Selections:
For fruit quality the following cultivars offer differences is size, total yield, disease resistance, sweetness, and harvest time: ‘Bassett’s American’, ‘Resigno’, ‘Eastham’, ‘Hancock’, ‘Squibnocket’, ‘Premier’
Ornamental cultivars include ‘‘Wheeler selection no. 6’, ‘Wheeler selection no. 6’, ‘Stearns’ and ‘Northneck’
Photo Credit: IP Singh Wikimedia Commons