HGG: Beach Plum

Beach plum (Prunus maritima) in fruit

Time for another installment of "Home Grown Greenery". I am partial to beach plums, for a number of reasons. As the name implies, this shrub haunts seaside dunes, and who doesn't like the shore? Due to the salt spray, the shrub develops branching patterns that resembles sculptured hewn from dark bark. It eventually creates large, suckering colonies that may reach 6 ft. in height. In spring, before the leaves unfurl, the branches are awash in scented white blooms & ecstatic insects. It's quite a spectacle for a plant whose natural surroundings are so spartan. Each individual blossom has five petals & numerous stamens, as do all members of the rose family (Rosaceae). By fall, these develop into dark blue fleshy fruits that are edible, but you must be quick! Birds also like plums. (To guarantee fruit set, plant more than one shrub.)

Along with other Prunus species, beach plum is the preferred larval host plant for several species of swallowtail butterflies (Papilio), along with the coral hairstreak (Harkenclenus titus), viceroy admiral (Limenitis), and spring azure (Celastrina argiolus).

Black knot (Apiosporina morbosa) is common on Prunus species. It is more aesthetically displeasing than deadly to the plants. Here are excellent photographs & a perkier review of the fungal infection.

The species is endangered in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. More about beach plum.