Beach Plum

Plant in spring in sandy, well-drained soil. Beach plum is native to coastal areas and thrives in conditions that challenge most plants — poor, sandy soil, salt spray, and drought. It does not perform well in heavy clay or consistently wet soils, so good drainage is critical. Dig the planting hole to the depth of the root ball, backfill without amendment, and water well. Space plants 6–8 feet apart.

Prune right after flowering in spring to shape and remove any dead wood. For the best fruit production, plant at least two shrubs for cross-pollination. The small blue-purple plums that ripen in late summer are edible and can be used for jams and preserves. Very drought tolerant once established. No regular fertilizing is needed in lean, sandy soils.