Beach plum (Prunus maritima) is a native, flowering, often multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows in a low spreading manner to form dense thickets 3-8 ft tall. Outside of its natural dune habitat and under ideal conditions, a well-cared for beach plum shrub may reach heights of up to 18 ft. White flowers bloom singly, but mostly in small (0.5 in.) umbel-like clusters in April or May prior to leaf-out and persist into June. The fruit produced usually ranges in color from a bluish purple to dark purple, ripening from August to October.

The dense thickets formed by beach plum provide protective habitat for birds and small mammals. The early bloom set of beach plum is a beneficial food source for native bees and beach.

Warning: Beach plum seeds (pits) contain hydrocyanic acid and may be toxic if consumed.