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Common Plum Prunus domestica

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus doh-MESS-tik-a
Description

Common Plum belongs to the rose family and originates in Turkey and Europe but is now only grown in cultivation.  This plant typically grows as a large shrub or small tree up to 10-20 feet tall. It is a deciduous tree with showy white flowers and edible purple stone fruits.  It may have some spines. Greengage and damson plums are subspecies of P. domestica. It is the latest blooming of the plums making it best for northern climates.

It is primarily grown on the west coast and the Great Lakes area to make prunes due to its high sugar content. Most plums grown for the produce section of the supermarket are Japanese varieties. Cultivars of this plant have fruits available in purple, red and yellow.

Grow in fertile moist well-drained soil in full sun and protect from chemical sprays.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: As with most of the Prunus genus, this tree has some insect and disease issues. Viral, fungal and bacterial diseases can affect the fruit and leaves. Also, powdery mildew, rusts and brown rot can appear. The codling moth is the main insect but webworms, mites and borers can affect it.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Bluefire', 'Stanley'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#edible fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Bluefire', 'Stanley'
Tags:
#deciduous#white flowers#edible fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    domestica
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Turkey
    Wildlife Value:
    This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    Fruits are dried to make plums. They can also be eaten raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fleshy 2-3 inch drupe matures to blue or black and has 1 seed in it. Appears in September
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Showy white flowers with 5 petals and long stamens appear singly or in pairs in spring before leaf-out.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The simple green egg-shaped leaves are 2-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide and are alternate on the stem. The base is wedge-shaped and the tip is pointed. The margins are serrated and the upper surface has hairs
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Bark Description:
    Thin smooth bark on mature trees
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Cluster of terminal buds
    Stem Bud Scales:
    Enclosed in more than 2 scales
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
    Encircles a bud
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth and dark brown. Three or more overlapping scales on buds.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy