Mature treePlum & Cherry
American Plum
Prunus americana
$5.25per seedling
Coming soon
This species isn't available to order yet — check back when the next season opens.
Quick facts
- Mature size
- — 10–20 ft tall · 10–15 ft wide
- Growth speed
- — Medium — 1–2 ft of new growth a year
- Sunlight
- — Full sun (6+ hrs direct sun) · Part shade (4–6 hrs)
- Soil
- — Average / moist
- Good for
- — Wildlife food & habitat · Yard, shade & beauty · Pollinators
- Wildlife
- — American plum offers excellent wildlife value, providing nectar for pollinators in spring, summer fruit eagerly eaten by birds and mammals, and dense thickets that create important cover and nesting habitat.
About this species
American plum is a hardy, multi-stemmed native shrub or small tree known for its early spring display of fragrant white blossoms that attract pollinators. As the season progresses, it produces small, reddish‑purple fruits that are tart but flavorful and enjoyed by both wildlife and people. Its leaves turn attractive shades of yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest to naturalized landscapes. American plum thrives in a variety of soil types and conditions, making it suitable for fencerows, restoration plantings, and wildlife habitat projects. With its adaptability, beautiful blooms, and valuable fruit, it remains a versatile and ecologically important species across Ohio.
Planting notes
Because American plum can spread by suckers, consider giving it space or planting it where natural thicket formation is acceptable.