Hardy, deciduous North American small tree or multi-stemmed shrub Description: A profusion of small white flowers in spring is followed by edible, round, red fruits; usually thorny Habit: Grows up to 25' tall as a single trunk tree; forms large colonies if allowed to sucker freely Culture: Prefers full sun to part shade, and dry to average, well-drained soils; cut out suckers to control spread if desired; tolerates dry conditions Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 through 8 Prunus Americana was first classified by 18th century American botanist Humphry Marshall, a cousin of Philadelphia nurseryman and explorer John Bartram, and a member of the American Philosophical Society at the same time as Jefferson. Introduced to England in 1768, Prunus Americana is native to eastern and central North America, and can adapt to drought and poor soils. While the small fruits are edible, the taste is improved when prepared for preserves or jellies. If allowed to form thickets, the Native American Plum can provide a valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife. This plant will ship bare root. Approximately 2' tall.Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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