Prunus maritima
Growing Information
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Sunlight: Sun
• Soils: Dry, average
• Bloom Time: White flowers in April, May
• Size: Size: 3-6 feet in height; 3-6 foot spread
Plant in a sunny, sandy site as a shrub border, wild hedge, foundation planting, or ornamental. Beach Plum provides showy displays of white flowers in spring. Cross pollination is needed to produce the flavorful fruit, which is used to make jams and jellies or feed wildlife. Beach Plum is a rounded, dense, suckering shrub member of the rose family. Drought tolerant. Salt spray tolerant. Does not like to be crowded by other plants. Beach plum is quintessential Cape Cod!
Garden Companions
American Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata), Beach Pea (Lathyrus maritimus), Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica), Evening Primrose (Oenothera perennis), Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana)
Nature Benefits
• Attracts butterflies, moths, birds, and bees.
• Fruit feeds wildlife.
Native Habitat
Occurs in sandy openings near the coast, dunes, meadows, fields.