Prunus maritima (Beach Plum)

A genuine coastal specialty with a real culinary following, beach plum's edible fruit has fueled a foraging and local-food revival, while the broader Prunus genus it belongs to supports over 400 documented species of butterflies and moths - real ecological weight behind a classic dune shrub.

Species Overview

Prunus maritima, or beach plum, is a rounded, densely branching deciduous shrub native to dunes and sandy coastal soils from New Brunswick to New Jersey. It produces profuse white (sometimes pink-tinged) flowers from mid-spring to early summer, followed by small, tart, edible plums that ripen to dark reddish-purple by late summer.

Application

• Coastal dune and beach restoration - confirmed salt tolerant
• Sandy, well-drained soil plantings
• Larval host habitat as part of the broader Prunus genus (400+ documented Lepidoptera)
• Foraging and local-food plantings - fruit used for jams and jellies

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Sandy or gravelly soils, dry to moist; salt tolerant
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
• Bloom Color / Period: White; April-June
• Wetland Indicator Status: NI (No Indicator) - see flags
• Native Range: Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (full list) - New Brunswick to New Jersey specifically
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Deer Resistance: Some
• Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
• Salinity Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Low - A dune species adapted to well-drained sand; not tolerant of standing water.
• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed/Thicket-forming - suckering coastal shrub
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
• Pollinator Value: Larval host, supports bees, supports butterflies, supports moths

Planting Guidance

• IMPORTANT: seed pits are toxic due to hydrocyanic acid content - fruit flesh is edible but pits should not be consumed. Susceptible to the same pests and diseases as other Prunus species, including plum curculio and black knot.