Beach Plum

The Beach Plum, Prunus maritima, is a round, dense shrub found normally on the East Coast along the shore. It produces delicious fruit that is dull purple in color and ripens in August. The edible fruit that develops is round and ½ to ¾ inches in diameter. These fruits may be used for jams and jellies. Flowers are white, single or double and bloom in early May. Flowers develop in axillary clusters of two or three. After pollination occurs by bees or wind the flowers become pinkish in color. It is well adapted to droughty sites with moderately fertile, slightly acidic, loamy and sandy soils. Beach plum does not perform well on heavy clay soils, but will tolerate moderately well drained conditions. Once this shrub is established it requires little or no maintenance.