Prunus americana
Plant Expert:
Michael Dirr Prunus americana
Michael Dirr
Prunus americana
Prunus americana (click for large image)
American Red Plum, August Plum, Hog Plum, Wild Plum 		Common Names:
  • American Red Plum
  • August Plum
  • Hog Plum
  • Wild Plum
More Images:
American Red Plum, August Plum, Hog Plum, Wild Plum
 
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Origin:

  Massachusetts to Manitoba, south to Georgia, New Mexico and Utah  

Sun/Water Requirements:

  Partial/Full sun.
Moderate climate.
Dirr says: "Tends to thrive with neglect."

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

  Zone 3 to Zone 8

Growth:

  Range: Grows from 15' to 30'.
Dirr says: "Common shrub or tree, often forming large colonies along roadsides, in waste areas and other uncultivated habitats throughout its native range. Also have seen single-stemmed, 15 to 25' trees."

Flowers:

  Color(s): White
Season(s): Spring

Dirr says: "pure white, about 1" diametet, 2 to 5 together in umbels, each flower on a slender, 2/3 to 1" long pedicel (stalk). Flowers open before the leaves in early to mid-March in Athens, GA, and depending on temperature are effective for 5 to 7 up to 14 days. A pronounced difference in flowering times is evident as one colony will be spent while another is in full splendor. Flowers have that sickly sweet typical plum species odor."  

Foliage:

  Deciduous
Color: Leaves are dark green in the summer and red in the fall.
 

Fruit:

  Color: Red, Yellow
Season(s): Summer
Dirr says: "Fruits are generally yellow to red, rounded, about 1" long ripening in June - July. The fruits are utilized for jellies and jams. Cultivars have been selected for superior fruit quality."  

Landscape Value:

  Can be used as an ornamental plant.
Can be used as a grouping plant.

Dirr says: "I have seen typical colonies which almost remind of sumacs the way they spread."

Other:

   

Other Prunus americana References & Articles:
Prunus americana is hardy in these areas:
Alsip, ILBaltimore, MDBayside, NY
Bronx, NYBrooklyn, NYBrownsville, TX
Canton, MIChicago, ILCicero, IL
College Point, NYConneaut, OHCorona, NY
Detroit, MIDorset, OHEast Claridon, OH
East Elmhurst, NYEast Greenville, PAEast Texas, PA
Easton, PAEcorse, MIElmhurst, NY
Elmwood Park, ILElyria, OHEmmaus, PA
Evergreen Park, ILFerndale, MIFlorence, SC
Flushing, NYForest Hills, NYFort Eustis, VA
Fresh Meadows, NYGlen Burnie, MDGwynn Oak, MD
Harper Woods, MIHarrison Township, MIHighland Park, MI
Hunt Valley, MDJackson Heights, NYLeasburg, NC
Lexington, NCLiberty, NCLinwood, NC
Little Neck, NYMacomb, MIMarysville, MI
Maspeth, NYMemphis, MIMiddle Village, NY
Morgantown, WVMount Clemens, MINew Baltimore, MI
New Haven, MINew York, NYNewport News, VA
North Ridgeville, OHNorth Street, MINottingham, MD
Oakland Gardens, NYParkville, MDPhiladelphia, PA
Pikesville, MDRego Park, NYRidgewood, NY
Riverdale, ILRosedale, MDSparrows Point, MD
Staten Island, NYTaylor, MITemperance, MI
Towson, MDTrenton, MIVirginia Beach, VA
Wayne, MIWestland, MIWhitestone, NY
Whitmore Lake, MIWoodside, NY
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