Oemleria cerasiformis

Oemleria cerasiformis

Common name: Indian plum

Family: Rosaceae

Leaf: alternate, simple, dioecious, oblong to elliptical, 2-5", light green above and smooth above and paler below, margins entire to wavy, among the first plants to leaf out in spring, upright/erect leaf posture on stem (lovely contrast to pendulous flowers)

Flowers: dioecious, whitish-green, bell-shaped, often appear in late winter before the leaves, pendulous, 1 cm across

Fruit: ovoid drupes, up to 0.5" long, blue-black in maturity, borne on red stems

Habit: suckering, shrubby, loose shrub: Form: rounded

Height: up to 15'

Culture: Succeeds in moist, average, well-drained garden soils. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9. Does not like shallow, chalky soils. Best in a semi shade- to shade position. Plants are hardy to about -20 degrees C. Keep in mind it is suckering and can form dense thickets. Older plants can be rejuvenated by cutting back onto the older wood in late winter- they will then resprout freely from the base. Can keep under control by removing suckers.

Uses: woodland garden, damp shady border

Origin: Western North America- B.C. to California