Plum, Common
Prunus x domestica
Rosaceae - Rose
Description
Leaves: 2-1/4" long, blunt-tipped; deciduous.
Twigs/buds: Twigs shiny and purplish. Buds small, with overlapping scales.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect, white, showy. Fruit a blue-black, red or greenish drupe; large (2-1/4" in diameter); ball-like to oval; smooth; flesh firm and meaty; ripens between June and August; grown commercially.
Bark: Shiny silver-gray bark with prominent horizontal lenticels.
Wood: Little information available.
General: Originates from Eurasia where it was probably an ancient domestic hybrid. Has many available cultivars, but is largely not found in the wild. Related closely to the cherry plum (P. cerasifera), with some varieties overlapping. P. cerasifera is often selected for ornament, while P. x domestica is selected for fruit. A shrub to small tree, with mature heights from 15' to 20'. Prefers moist and well-drained soil and full sun.
Landscape Use: Widely planted in Utah for its fruit (plums and prunes) in varieties and forms too numerous to mention here. Zones 4-9.
Cultivars: Numerous varieties.
Characteristics
General
| Family | Rosaceae - Rose |
|---|---|
| Cultivar Availability | Yes |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-9 |
| Type | Broadleaf |
| Utah Native | No |
Growth
| Growth Rate | Medium |
|---|---|
| Mature Height | Low |
| Longevity | Low |
| Is Good Under Power Lines | Yes |
| Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
| Bark | Yes |
|---|---|
| Fall Color | No |
| Flowers | Yes |
| Foliage | No |
| Fruit | No |
Tolerance
| Shade | Low |
|---|---|
| Salt | Medium |
| Drought | Medium |
| Poor Drainage | Low |
| Alkalinity | Medium |
| Transplanting | Medium |