Indian Plum is a large, deciduous shrub native to the Pacific Northwest that produces fragrant, showy flowers in early spring followed by edible fruit. Growing 8 to 20 feet tall and equally wide, this rose family member thrives in zones 6 through 10 and tolerates everything from moist stream banks to drier hillsides. It's low-maintenance once established, asking only for moderate water and moderate sunlight, and it serves beautifully as a hedge or specimen plant.
Partial Sun
Moderate
6-10
240in H x 180in W
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Low
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Fragrant flowers bloom as early as February, offering one of the first signs of spring before most shrubs even wake up. The fruit that follows is edible and ornamental, making this a genuinely dual-purpose plant that feeds both eyes and palate. Best of all, it requires almost no pest or disease management, a rare gift for gardeners tired of constant vigilance.
Indian Plum works wonderfully as a living hedge, where its size and suckering habit create a natural boundary. The edible fruit is the main draw for many gardeners; the showy flowers in early spring also make it valuable for ornamental purposes in naturalistic landscapes.
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Seeds germinate at temperatures between 50 and 70°F. Start seeds indoors in these temperature conditions to improve germination rates before transplanting outdoors.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after hardening off. Choose a location in full sun to partial shade with humusy, fertile soil. Space plants according to mature size (8 to 20 feet tall, 8 to 15 feet wide) to allow room for development.
Harvest the edible fruit when it reaches full maturity and shows color development. Watch for visual ripeness cues and a slight softness to the touch, which indicates peak eating quality.
Prune to shape and control size as needed. Indian Plum naturally suckers, which can be managed through selective pruning or removal of unwanted shoots to maintain a single-stemmed form or multi-stemmed shrub, depending on your preference.
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“Oemleria cerasiformis, commonly called oso berry, Oregon plum, or bird cherry, is native to the Pacific West Coast from southwestern British Columbia south to Santa Barbara County, California. It thrives naturally in moist and relatively dry forested areas, stream banks, slopes, hillsides, rocky canyons, and coastal scrub, suggesting it has long served both wildlife and indigenous peoples of the region. The plant's common name, Indian Plum, reflects its place in the cultural and ecological history of the Pacific Northwest.”