Oemleria cerasiformis
Common Name(s):
Indian plum
Oregon plum
Synonym:
Exochorda davidiana
Bird cherry
Flower:
White
Blooms :
Feb
to:
May
Flowers white, bell-shaped, pendant in clusters
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Foliage:
Green
Leaves bright green, lance-shaped, entire, alternate, simple
Fall Color?
YES
Fruit is bluish-purple drupes in pendant clusters
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Bluish black plum-like fruit is attractive
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Western North America from Wahington south to California
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
6
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
NO
Height:
8-20'
Spread:
5-15'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Canyons, roadsides, stream banks, lowland wet woods, dry open woods, chaparral
Soil:
Humusy, loam, clay
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Medium
Fertilizer:
If soil is really poor use a slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring
Mulch:
2-3" layer of wood chips, bark, or compost
Short lived plant but keep watered and mulched, prune after flowering to control size, remove suckers
Long Term:
Winter:
Drastically reduce watering, in late winter prune to thin out crowded branches
Spring:
Ensure soil is consistently moist, prune to remove dead/damaged branches to shape shrub, mulch, fertilize if needed
Summer:
Water if hot and dry, suckers can be removed
Fall:
Consistent soil moisture, mulch
General Care Comments:
Thrives in partial shade, prefers moist well-drained soil, can be pruned late winter to shape, best grown where it can spread
Common Problems
Doesn't tolerate soggy soils
Diseases:
Leaf spot
Insects:
Rhododendron lacebug, aphids
Environmental Problems:
Early leaf coloring or drop if too dry, chlorosis in shallow soils over clay, does poorly in low light conditions
Pests:
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