Plum, MexicanPrunus mexicana

The Mexican Plum can be expected to grow in the zones shown on this map.

Attributes:
The Mexican Plum has beautiful fragrant white blooms and is a good tree for residential landscapes. It makes a nice understory tree with somewhat thorny branches.

Description:
Mexican Plum should be grown in full sun or partial shade on well-drained, rich soil but will tolerate almost any soil. It is quite drought-tolerant once established. This small tree is well suited for residential landscapes, and is especially popular in Texas. It might be best to locate the tree back from the edge of a patio, deck or walk since the fruits can be a little messy for a short period in the summer or early fall. Planted in the lawn or in a bed of low-growing ground cover, fruits drop unnoticed and are of no concern. The tree can be a `show stopper' when it is in bloom. It makes a nice tree for planting near power lines due to its small size.

Wildlife Value:
The fruits of the Mexican Plum are eaten by several species of bird. The tree itself provides nesting sites and materials for birds, also. Its blossoms provide food for insects such as bees.

History/Lore/Use:
The roots of the Mexican Plum have been used as rootstock for commercial plum production in the past.

Moisture:
The Mexican Plum tolerates wet sites, but does best in well-drained areas that do not experience severe drought.

Leaves:
The leaves of the Mexican Plum are green in summer and showy orange in the fall.

Flower Color:
The blooms of the Mexican Plum are white and quite showy.

Bloom Time:
The Mexican Plum blooms in February and March..

Fruit Description:
The Mexican Plum produces a small, showy red fruit.