Nannyberry vs American Plum - TreeTime.ca

Nannyberry vs American Plum

Viburnum lentago

Prunus americana

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

Nannyberry
American Plum

Nannyberry is a hardy shrub known for attracting wildlife. Its clusters of white flowers and tasty berries are suitable for bees, birds, and other animals.

Nannyberry is also used in urban yards and landscaping. This shrub makes a beautiful ornamental and is small enough to grow underneath power lines. Its berries can be eaten fresh or used in baking and preserves.

Makes a great hedge or privacy screen in an urban yard. Often has great red fall color to complement its spring flowers.

American Plum is a cold-hardy wild plum native to North America that grows as a small tree or large multi-stemmed shrub. Small, firm, red plums ripen from mid to late summer; the skin is tough and tart, whereas the flesh is sweet and juicy. While some enjoy eating them fresh, they are more commonly used for baking and preserves. It is considered a universal pollinizer for other plum varieties and is often used for grafting or as a rootstock.

In spring, American Plum produces abundant white to pink flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, providing an important early-season source of nectar and pollen. It also serves as a host plant for numerous moth and butterfly species. In its native range, it is recognized as an important keystone plant, as it has a disproportionately large impact on local ecosystems.

American Plum tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, from acidic to alkaline, and heavy clay. It is well suited to a variety of projects, including fruit orchards for cross-pollination, as well as pollinator plantings, naturalization, and restoration projects.

Nannyberry Quick Facts

American Plum Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: rounded to spreading, thicket forming
Spreading: suckering - high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, pits contain cyanide
Fall colour: gold to orange
Bark: gray and scaly
Flowers: white
Flowers: fragrant, white
Bloom time: early to mid spring
Fruit: small, red plums
Berries: red to purple
Fruit size: 2-3cm in diameter
Firmness: firm
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB
Native to: SK, MB, ON
Other Names: sheepberry, sweet viburnum
Other Names: american wild plum, wild plum