15 North American Native Plum Varieties With Ornamental Spring Flowers

Though edible fruit is the main reason gardeners grow fruit trees, it’s not the only reason. They’re valuable for their spectacular spring displays! Stone fruits are some of the showiest, as they’re often deciduous and bloom all at once in spring. Their white, pink, or red flowers emerge on naked branches.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of plum varieties exist for home gardeners. Many are native to Europe or Japan or are hybrids of American, Japanese, and European species. Though common varieties are often hybrids or non-native species, American plums are hardy native specimens that excel throughout the U.S. There’s a species for you, whether you garden near the coast, in the Midwest, or up north where winters are frosty. 

Without further ado, here are 15 North American native plums perfect for small, medium, or large landscapes. Choose types that are endemic or native to your local region, as they’ll perform better than foreign species. They’ll need less water, care, and nutrients than their non-native counterparts!

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Allegheny Plum

	common name Allegheny Plum
	botanical name Prunus umbellata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Allegheny plums are North American natives with gorgeous flowers that thrive in wild spaces from New York south through North Carolina. They put on a show in spring with white blossoms that shift to pink as they age. The flowers appear simultaneously with the leaves, creating a dense, bushy effect.

This species is perfect for small to medium-sized gardens. Mature specimens stay under 20 feet. You can shape them further by pruning them in late winter so they’re small and manageable. You may cut some blooms off when pruning at this time, though you’ll help the tree perform better in future seasons. 

American Plum

	common name American Plum
	botanical name Prunus americana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20-30’
	hardiness zones 4-9

This American species is one of the most common in the country. The trees are large, reaching 30 feet tall in maturity. You’ll find them in Canada, the Midwest, the East Coast, and the South.

Some specimens have many trunks that form thickets where the soil is moist, though you can train your specimen to develop one main trunk. Thickets are undesirable on home landscapes but are ideal for wildlife; they house birds, mammals, and insects. 

This type blooms in early spring before leaf buds emerge. You’ll see clusters of white petals throughout the canopy—when in bloom, it looks like snow covers the canopy! Fruits form shortly thereafter; they reach an inch wide and are tart but flavorful. Process them in jams, jellies, or preserves to enjoy their flavor without the extreme sourness. 

Beach Plum

	common name Beach Plum
	botanical name Prunus maritima
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8-12’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Hardy, sun-loving, and producers of edible fruit, beach plums are iconic! They’re lovely specimens that stay small regardless of where they grow. Most mature into multi-stem shrubs to eight feet in the air, though you can train them into single-trunk trees up to 12 feet tall. 

This species is unique for its blooms; they flower in clusters along the branches. Some have single rows of white petals, while others have two rows! The double-petalled varieties are ideal for creating impressive floral displays in the ornamental garden. 

Canada Plum

	common name Canada Plum
	botanical name Prunus nigra
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 20-30’
	hardiness zones 2-8

The Canada plums are lovely, decorative North American native trees that add grace and charm to woodland spaces. They’re more tolerant of shade than other varieties, performing well at forest edges, meadows, and shady slopes. Ensure they have consistent moisture in well-draining soil to keep them happy and healthy. 

This species, Prunus nigra, is not to be confused with the non-native cultivar Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra.’ Though both are excellent choices, the Canadian variety originates from the U.S. and Canada. It’ll perform well with minimal aid, and it’s much more cold-hardy than the ‘Nigra’ cultivar. 

Chickasaw Plum

	common name Chickasaw Plum
	botanical name Prunus angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-15’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Chickasaw plums have a long history in the U.S. that predates the country’s inception! They were a favorite of the Chickasaw Nation, a group of Indigenous peoples that lived in what are now eastern states. The Chickasaw people planted the trees wherever they could so they could enjoy the fruit fresh, dried, or cooked in recipes.

These North American native plums, like the other trees, sprout lovely white blossoms before other plants wake up from their winter slumber. The flowers attract pollinators, while the fruits are valuable food sources for birds, deer, and other small critters.

Creek Plum

	common name Creek Plum
	botanical name Prunus rivularis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 25’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Creek plums receive their name because they prefer growing next to rivers and creeks! They’re common in moist areas that stay consistently wet throughout the year. Unlike other species, they’re tolerant of standing water for short periods. 

Creek trees prefer alkaline soil with more sand than clay. Because they grow where water is plentiful, they prefer well-draining soil that removes excess moisture. Avoid putting them in clay or loamy clay sites. 

These trees have brilliant floral displays in spring. They open hundreds of white blossoms along their naked stems. The blooms attract wildlife with nectar and pollen, and edible, nutritious fruits lure songbirds and small critters. 

Scrub Plum

	common name Scrub Plum
	botanical name Prunus geniculata
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3-6’
	hardiness zones 9

Scrub plums are endangered native species from Florida. As the days lengthen and warm, they develop white five-petalled blossoms before the leaves. These short plants live long lives and produce bitter fruit while they thrive in the garden, supporting pollinators.

The fruits aren’t eaten fresh but are used in jams, cooking, and other similar ways to round out their bitter flavor. Grant the trees partial or full shade, as full sun causes scorching and may lead to more intense thicket formation. However, if you live in a scrub region, these are excellent. Due to their status, make sure you purchase them from reliable sources. 

Havard’s Plum

	common name Havard’s Plum
	botanical name Prunus havardii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Havard’s plums are more shrubs than trees—they’re dense, thicket-forming specimens that reach up to five feet. Because they originate from warm, dry regions of Texas, they have many adaptations that allow them to survive in desert regions. The leaves are small and glossy on top with thick coatings, while the fruits are small and tart. 

Though the flowers aren’t as showy as other types, these specimens are tough and hardy—they’re perfect for warm, desert climates where other trees struggle to survive. Grant them well-drained soil, lots of sunlight, and consistent moisture during the growing season.

Hortulan Plum

	common name Hortulan Plum
	botanical name Prunus hortulana
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Hortulan trees are early flowering plums that originate from regions of the Midwest. They thrive in states like Iowa, Arkansas, and Kansas. This variety is especially showy, as its leaves, flowers, and fruits are larger than other plum cultivars. It blooms white-petalled flowers with orange tinges at the base of their petals. They appear in April and May before most other plants bloom. 

Hortulan trees need six to eight hours of daily direct sunlight to thrive. You’ll see them growing along roadsides and in areas where trees were cut, as they’ll sprout new shoots from their base if cut down. Though this species originates in the Midwest, it’s common in eastern states like Massachusetts, where it naturalizes well. 

Klamath Plum

	common name Klamath Plum
	botanical name Prunus subcordata
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 25’
	hardiness zones 7-9

The Klamath plums are unlike most North American types, as they are native to the West Coast in Northern California and Oregon. They’re perfect for temperate regions without significant winter frosts. In winter and spring, white blooms emerge; they shift to pink as they age, offering a spectacular garden display.

These trees sprout edible, tart fruits that blend well in jams, pies, and preserves. They turn purple-red when ripe, though some specimens may sprout yellow fruits.  The sour fruits aren’t great tasting fresh, though they mellow when you cook or dry them for preservation. 

Mexican Plum

	common name Mexican Plum
	botanical name Prunus mexicana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15-25’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Mexican plums are also tolerant of warmer temperatures because of their native range. They thrive in regions of South Dakota south through Mexico. Unlike most native species, this type doesn’t form suckers and typically grows a single, thick trunk, making it an ideal specimen for landscape plantings.

Off the woody branches sprout delicate white blooms during spring. These morph into edible fruits that are less tart than other varieties. Harvest them when they’re ripe, full, and juicy. Provide your trees with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight so they thrive for decades. 

Murray’s Plum

	common name Murray’s Plum
	botanical name Prunus murrayana
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 6-15’
	hardiness zones 7-9

Murray’s plums are more like shrubs than trees. They sprout many thin trunks to form dense thickets over time. Though they’re unruly, they’re gorgeous! You’ll see white blooms on the branches that appear early in the season, from March through April. 

Grow this variety in a remote area of your yard; the flowers, fruits, and space are great for wildlife, even though the thickets are hard to traverse. You may also prune out the many stems and leave a single one to form a tree shape. Thickets reach around six feet, while single-stem specimens can grow to 15 feet. 

Because Murray’s species is native to Texas, it grows best in hot regions with well-draining soil. Grant your tree partial shade to protect it from the afternoon’s harshest sun rays. 

Oklahoma Plum

	common name Oklahoma Plum
	botanical name Prunus gracilis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another thicket-forming species, Oklahoma plums are shrubby specimens that reach no taller than six feet. You may prune and train your tree to have a single stem, though this variety prefers growing in a shrubby form. 

Oklahoma plum trees produce dozens of white blooms along their red, woody branches. After the flowers, fruits form; the fruits are red-purple with a whitish blush on their skin. They’re a favorite of local animals like birds, mammals, and insect pollinators.  

Peachbush

	common name Peachbush
	botanical name Prunus texana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Peachbush receives its name because its fruits resemble peaches! Though the fruits look like peaches, these shrubs are in the Prunus genus alongside cherries, plums, and almonds. They’re native to central and western Texas. Peachbushes thrive in poor, disturbed soils and are common on dry plains in the state. 

Though this is a thicket-forming type like the previous species, it’s excellent for a wild area of your yard. Use it to help the critters around you—pollinators, birds, and mammals like its fruits and white flowers. 

Wildgoose Plum

	common name Wildgoose Plum
	botanical name Prunus munsoniana
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 25’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Wildgoose plums round out this list in style! They’re gorgeous specimens with tight balls of white flowers that resemble pear blooms. This species can form thickets like the previous types, though it grows well as a single-stem specimen. Tree forms may reach 25 feet, forming a round and thick crown. 

Wildgoose trees sprout orange or yellow edible fruits that taste delicious! They’re sweeter and less tart than other native varieties. Eat the delectable fruits fresh, dry them to preserve them, or cook them in jams and jellies with added sugar.