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Prunus maritima - Beach Plum - is a deciduous shrub that is native to sand dune habitats and can grow up to 8 ft tall. When cultivated in gardens, it can grow up to 12 tall. It is a hardy shrub that can tolerate maritime exposure, making it perfect for coastal regions. The Beach Plum is cultivated for its edible fruit in North America. The fruit is often sold in local markets and is of potential commercial importance.
The leaves of the Beach Plum are alternate, elliptical, and serrated. They are colored green on top and pale below, becoming showy in the autumn. The flowers have five white petals and large yellow anthers, measuring about 1-1.5 cm in diameter. The fruit is an edible drupe that measures around 1.5-2 cm in diameter in the wild plant.
Thriving in a well-drained, moisture-retentive, loamy soil, the Beach Plum does well on limestone. It prefers some lime in the soil but is likely to become chlorotic if too much lime is present. The Beach Plum requires a sunny position, but it can tolerate maritime exposure.
The Beach Plum has become famous in the United States, with Plum Island, Massachusetts and Plum Island, New York being named after it. Additionally, Plum Cove Beach in Lanesville, Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Beach Plum Island (State Park) in Sussex County, Delaware, have also been named after this hardy and delicious fruit.
If you're looking for a hardy and delicious fruit to add to your garden, the Prunus maritima - Beach Plum - is an excellent choice. Its ability to tolerate maritime exposure and its potential commercial importance make it an ideal addition to coastal gardens.