Where do Beach Plums Grow
Today we get a close up look at the elusive beach plum. Popular by fans of unusual fruit, the beach plum grows native in my home state. Here along the N.J. shore and much of the northeastern coast this overlooked native edible sits unnoticed all but edible plant enthusiasts like me.
Beach Plums ripen in mid to late August, by then it might be too late to locate these unsuspecting shrubs. The best time to find them is spring! Spring is when the Beach Plum really shows itself off. Their soft white flowers make a dramatic contrast to their typically barren coastal spring landscape.
How to Find Beach Plums
Spring affords you the time to go out and find these medium sized shrubs that can get hidden and blend in with larger late summer vegetation.
Beach Plums have large variances between different plants. Some plants have small berries that never fully ripen while others have large tasty berries. Modern plant breeders have looked past the lowly beach plum. Because of this you can get quite a contrast between fruit on plants that otherwise look identical. It’s been my experience that there are two types of Beach Plums. Plants that don’t ripen any berries and plants that do. I don’t waste my time with a plant that has mostly small green berries. Move on to the plants that are loaded with purple, blue and even red berries. Those plants will give you the largest yield for the time spent picking.
Delicious Berries
Today we are lucky enough to find sweet ripe berries. Although there isn’t a ton here, remember in August locating any beach plums is a great find! Be sure to be on the look out for more Beach Plums next spring! The best tasting plants are great for fresh eating. Berries that are too tart for fresh eating can be made into jellies, jams, and spirits.
The Conditions Are Right
Mature plants will reach heights of 5-8 feet tall near the sea and slightly taller inland. Commonly found on sand dunes, wind battered plants often drop their berries. While sheltered plants will tend to ripen more fruit. Wind nor vicinity to the ocean don’t factor into berry taste however.
Beach plums are not self fertile. They need at least 2 plants for pollination. European, American and Asian plums flower weeks earlier than the Beach Plum and will not help with pollination.
The Beach Plum grew up along the coast. They weather the salt and the sand with no problem. Even punishing coastal storms aren’t enough to break this hardy shrub. Extremely pest and disease resistant, Beach Plums can survive in hot, humid, and arid conditions alike. They are salt tolerant, Beach Plums need not always be planted near the ocean. They do fine near roadways that get sprayed with salt brine solutions in the winter as well. A very hardy edible indeed!
Are They Right for My Property
Wildlife and the broader ecosystem as a whole benefit from this productive plant. Beach Plums provide food and cover for birds, critters, and humans alike. Beach plums make a wonderful flowering shrub. Their spring flowers are appreciated by both humans and native pollinators.
These industrious shrubs help solidify sand dunes and hillside soils that are prone to washing out.
If your into great looking unusual edible plants and a fan of delicious flavor then the Beach Plum might be for you! As an added bonus show off to your friends and neighbors a plant they probably have never of. With striking spring flowers and bright summer berries Beach Plums check all the boxes. This delicious edible also doubles as a carefree landscaping plant. Consider planting a couple beach plums on your property this year. And when you do be sure to let me know!