Mexican Plum

Mexican Plum is smothered in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has forest green foliage which emerges chartreuse in spring. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy purple drupes with blue overtones, which are carried in abundance from mid to late summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds, butterflies and squirrels to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

Messy, Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Mexican Plum is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

Accent, Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Edible Qualities

Mexican Plum is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces purple round fruit (technically 'drupes') with blue overtones and chartreuse flesh which are usually ready for picking from late summer to early fall. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a tart taste and a juicy texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

Fresh Eating, Baking, Preserves, Canning