Plums: Blossoms of Spring
Around the world, the first sign of spring after the appearance of delicate crocuses poking their way through a crust of snow is plum blossoms, which burst out earlier than every other fruit tree for a showy display in late winter. Of course, that's rapidly followed by a rain of blossoms that stick
Posted — UpdatedPlums also feature distinctive deep red to purple foliage which emerges after the flowers -- making these trees absolutely stunning well into summer, when those flowers will eventually set fruit, if you've got a fertile tree. Plums are fantastic eaten out of hand, dried, or used in jams and jellies. Interested in growing one of your own? It's super easy -- so much so, in fact, that a plum pit tossed into the yard often volunteers all on its own. (But you're better off getting a sapling from the nursery, for reasons we'll explain shortly.)
Various cultivars have been bred to thrive in warmer or cooler climates, and can cope with different amounts of water. You'll need to select a good tree for your needs on the basis of whether you want fruit or not, and where you live. Staff at your local nursery can help you select the best tree for your needs. Here's why you might want to consider buying from a nursery instead of growing from a pit: nurseries offer trees bred and grown for vigor, with very sturdy, healthy root stock. Plums grown from pits might not perform as well because they don't necessarily breed true, which could be disappointing for you!
The best time to plant is late winter or early spring, though you may miss the first year's flowering. Your plum tree should be planted in a deep hole with ample fertilizer and rich soil -- use soil testing to determine exactly what your baby tree will need. Mulch around the roots to help the seedling retain water, and water well to get your tree well-established. In the first year, it's important to give your plum sufficient water as it develops a root system.