Mexican Plum

 In
Mexican Plum

Prunus mexicana
Prunus mexicana
Bigtree Plum, Inch Plum, Ciruela mexicana
Texas and south-central U.S.
15

20 feet
15

20 feet
  • Central Texas
  • Texas
  • Part Sun/Shade
  • Low
  • Flowering
  • Birds

About This Plant

Sun or shade. Deciduous, with striated bark resembling a cherry tree. Fragrant white/pink flowers are one of the earliest signs of spring. The fruits ripen in autumn; they’re small and tasty, if somewhat sour.

The leaves droop heavily at the end of summer, but Mexican plum is drought-hardy as long as soils are deep enough.

Maintenance

Stout thorns require careful handling. Pruning cuts should only be made at a bud or branch and mostly just to remove dead, damaged, or rubbing branches.

As with any tree, remove no more than 25% of the canopy during any five-year cycle. Leave the upper 2/3 of the crown uncut to maintain a healthy specimen never removing more than the lowest third of the tree in a single pruning period. Mulch with about 2″ of wood chips or pine bark wherever possible. (In general, the mulched area for a tree should be six feet at minimum.)

Features

Plant Type:
Small Tree
Size:
15-20' H, 15-20' W
Sunlight Requirements:
Part Sun/Shade
Soil Types:
Clay, Sandy
Wildlife:
Birds, Butterflies, Butterfly Larvae, Pollinators
Flower Color:
Pink, White
Bloom Time:
February, March, April
Freeze Hardy:
Yes
Invasive:
No
Caution:
Fruit
Coupon Eligible:
No

This plant goes well with

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