PRAIRIE RED AMERICAN PLUM - PRUNUS AMERICANA 'PRAIRIE RED'

Common Name: Prairie Red American plum, Prairie red plum

Scientific Name: 
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Species: americana 'Prairie Red'

Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 10 to 20 ft
Width: 10 to 15 ft

Description: Prairie Red American plum is a hybrid that is cold-hardy for the Northern Great Plains. Plant Prairie Red American plum in an orchard, windbreak, or accent tree. The dense form provides habitat for wildlife. Plants have rapid growth the first 5 years, then start to have some dieback after 10-15 years.

It can be pruned to be a medium-sized shrub or small tree. Foliage is green, simple, alternate with a sharp serrate margin. The smooth branch bark can become rigid and spiny with age. Flowers bloom in May with five white petals. The sweet fruit have a reddish-yellow skin and ripen in late summer; they are about 1.5 inches in diameter, varying with plant and loaction.