Flowering plums jumpstart spring
The crescendo of crocus and dawning of daffodils are sure signs of spring as they bloom in concert with our earliest flowering trees. Ornamental flowering plums are among the first to flaunt their cheerful and fragrant pink blossoms. You know that spring is in the air when the tight buds of flowering plums suddenly burst open to reveal bright flowers that attract hummingbirds, bumblebees and other eager pollinators.
A healthy urban forest depends on a diversity of species, and flowering trees can contribute to diversity goals while spreading spring cheer. These early bloomers jumpstart spring while contributing to the overall beauty of our communities and are worthy of consideration for our personal and community landscapes.
Mt. St. Helens® Plum
Prunus ‘Frankthrees’
This sport of Newport Plum, selected by J. Frank Schmidt III and introduced in 1981, has proven over the decades to grow faster in the nursery and develop a stronger, sturdier trunk with better caliper than the old standby, Newport Plum. Its explosion of pink blooms inspired us to name it after Mt. St. Helens, which erupted in 1980 and was easily viewed from our nursery fields. It also leafs out earlier, bearing slightly larger leaves that retain their rich color longer into the summer than Newport. A top performer in severe climates, this USDA Zone 4 tree matures to a height and spread about 20’ x 20’.
Big Cis® Plum
Prunus x cistena ‘Schmidtcis’
A larger, tree-like version of Cistena Plum (Prunus x cistena), from which it originated as a sport. Leaves are larger and the trunk is heavier than Cistena, but the light pink, fragrant flowers are the same. Foliage is purple and new growth is produced well into summer, giving the tree a fresh, clean appearance later into the season than many purple-leafed plums. Adaptable to varied soils and minimal care, it performs best in severe climates including high desert, intermountain and midwestern regions where winters are cold and summers are hot. We recommend it on our UtiliTrees™ list as a good tree to plant beneath utility lines. It matures to a height and spread of approximately 14’ x 12’.
Thundercloud Plum
Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’
This time-tested cultivar originated in Oregon and was introduced to the trade by Housewaerts Nursery in 1937. Although the nursery is long-gone, their discovery continues to thrive in Oregon and beyond. Thundercloud plum continues to be a popular choice among the purple-foliaged ornamental plums. Its bright, true pink flowers are followed by dark purple foliage that holds its color even during the summer months.
According to co-authors Dirr and Warren in The Tree Book, published by Timber Press, “flowers appear just slightly brighter and cleaner en masse than “Krauter Vesuvius,’ which is otherwise almost identical. In Oregon, it is generally the longest-lived and healthiest of the cultivars.”
Hardy through USDA Zone 5, its mature height and spread are approximately 20’ x 20’.
Krauter Vesuvius Plum
Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’
Similar to Thundercloud in appearance, but a little smaller and more upright as it matures to a height and spread of 20’ x15’. Flowers peak a few days later than those of Thundercloud. Due to its tolerance of hot, dry weather, it seems to be the best flowering plum for southern climates. This old favorite was selected by and introduced to the nursery trade in 1929 by Luther Burbank. Hardiness is USDA Zone 5.
Newport Plum
Prunus ‘Newport’
The hardiest of the purple-leaf plums, Newport thrives in tough climates through USDA Zone 3. Petite, light pink flowers appear in early spring and give way to purple-red foliage. Introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1923, it has withstood the test of time for over a century. Growing in an upright, spreading manner, Newport Plum becomes broadly oval to rounded as it matures to a height and spread of about 20’ x 20’.
According to The Handbook of Landscape Tree Cultivars, the parents of Newport Plum are P. cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’ x P. salicina x P. americana. This useful horticultural reference is out of print, but used copies appear to be readily available online: Handbook of Landscape Tree Cultivars ©1989 by Willett N. Wandell. Supported by the Horticultural Research Institute, it was published by East Prairie Publishing Co. Gladstone, IL.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
