TreeRM

Mexican plum

Prunus mexicana 路 Rosaceae 路 also Bigtree plum

A single-trunked, non-suckering small tree (15-25 feet) with fragrant white blossoms in late winter before anything else is blooming, satiny blue-gray bark and tart edible plums in late summer. It takes sun or part shade, needs little water once established, and feeds bees, butterflies and birds. One of the best small native trees for Austin yards.

Broadleaf, drops leavesMedium growthSun or part shadeLow water
Mexican plum
Jim Conrad, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it stands

Native

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 United States 路 Also native in: IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, NE, OH, SD, WI (USDA PLANTS distribution)source
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AL, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 AR, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 GA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 LA, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 MS, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 NC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 OK, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 SC, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TN, United Statessource
  • 馃嚭馃嚫 TX, United Statessource

Recommended

  • 馃嚭馃嚫 Austin, TX, United States 路 On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Plum, Mexican', a great understory tree and earliest spring bloomer.source

Care

Plant in a well-drained site with reasonable soil depth; water weekly the first two summers. Prune lightly after flowering only to shape or raise the canopy. Fruit drops in July-September and can be messy on hard surfaces but is good for jelly. Generally pest-free compared with cultivated plums.

Benefits

FlowersPollinatorsEdibleWildlifeBirdsDrought tolerantFits small spaces

Good for

Small yardFoodparks

Watch out for

Messy fruit