There is truly nothing that American Plum can’t do. Dazzling spring flower display? Check. Delightfully ornamental and edible fruits? Check. Larval host for hundreds of caterpillar species? Check. Source of food and cover for our favorite mammals? Check and check! Wild Plum is a widely adaptable shrub that can form lovely thickets and effective natural fencing with its suckering habit, or it can be pruned into a small tree with a broad, spreading crown. This native powerhouse plant is considered one of the keystone species for supporting wildlife and serves as a great substitute for the invasive and malodorous Callery pear.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; dry to medium soils; widely adaptableSize: 10’ - 20’ tall, 15’ - 25’ spread
Zone: 4 - 9
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract wide range of pollinators, including bumblebees, sweat bees, pollinating flies and wasps, and butterflies; fruits beloved by small mammals, songbirds, and ground-dwelling birds like turkey and quail; larval host for hundreds of caterpillar species, including Red-spotted Purple, Coral Hairstreak, and Cherry Dagger moth
Photos:
