Hog plum is a small deciduous tree distinguished by its clusters of delicate white flowers, which give way to red, astringent fruits that mature to purple-black. The serrated leaves turn vibrant shades in fall, reflecting the plant’s adaptability to various environments. Its bark’s flaky texture provides unique character amidst the understory of Eastern U.S. woodlands, where it thrives in well-drained soils.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Prunus umbellata, called flatwoods plum, hog plum and sloe plum, is a plum species native to the United States from Virginia, south to Florida, and west to Texas.
Prunus umbellata can reach 6.1 meters (20 feet) in height with a 4.6 m (15 ft) spread. It has alternate serrate green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Flowers are white, creamy, or grayish. Fruits are round, purple, and 1.3–2.5 centimeters (1⁄2–1 inch) in diameter. The trees bloom and bear fruit later than other plums. The fruits mature in August–October. Large crops appear only every 3–4 years.
P. umbellata trees can live up to 40 years and are very difficult to distinguish from P. angustifolia, with which it hybridizes easily.
The fruits are made into jellies and jams.
II. How to Grow and Care
Hog plum thrives in well-draining soil, requiring consistent moisture without waterlogging. Special care points include the plant’s preference for full sun exposure, which maximizes fruit production and overall health. Hog plum is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil types and resisting many common pests and diseases.
Sunlight
Hog plum likes sunshine. As a fruit tree, ample sunlight for photosynthesis is necessary for its growth and to provide sufficient nutrition to develop fruit. It should be planted in a spot that ensures it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight, and ideally no less than 8 hours of sunlight.
Temperature
Hog plum is fairly good at surviving in low temperatures. The temperature it can tolerate ranges from -22 ℃ to 42 ℃. It is also not very picky when it comes to water. It does not need a lot of water and is resistant to both drought and flood.
Watering
Originating from moist, well-drained soils, hog plum thrives in conditions that mimic its native woodland environment. This species exhibits a preference for consistent moisture but is also moderately drought-tolerant once established. For optimal health, hog plum should be watered twice a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. Commonly cultivated outdoors due to its robust nature, hog plum particularly benefits from mulching which helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature – key factors during its active growth cycle.
Soil
When planting hog plum, you should select a sandy loam soil or loam that is thick, rich in organic matter, and with a slight to medium alkaline pH of 7-8.5. Avoid planting it in a place where salt and alkalis are concentrated. Additionally, make sure that the soil is moist but drains well. It is best not to grow hog plum in clay soil.
Fertilizing
Hog plum likes to be fertilized. A sufficient amount of fertilizer will ensure that it grows healthily and bears fruit. Organic fertilizer is usually used for its base fertilizer. When applying fertilizer, dig a circular trench around the external circumference of the tree crown, at a depth of 38 cm and a width of 28 cm. Apply the fertilizer evenly throughout the trench, then backfill the soil.
Fertilizer should be applied twice a year, the first time prior to blooming, to supply nutrients for the flowers, and the second time when the fruit is growing larger, to supply nutrients for fruit growth and to increase the yield.
Planting Instructions
You can purchase hog plum saplings in garden centers. Pay attention to two things before planting. First, choose an area of the garden that has a lower altitude to plant your hog plum. This will help it to acquire enough water because its roots are shallow. Additionally, apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting it, mostly organic fertilizer. Once planted, remember to water it soon after, until the water on the surface of the soil stops draining away. When this happens you have provided sufficient water.
We generally do not sow seeds to propagate hog plum because the seeds need to undergo post-ripening effects. This means that the seeds are not yet mature when they are harvested. It is only after a period of special treatment that the seeds can complete their biochemical processes and reach the condition of being mature seeds that are able to germinate.
Pruning
Hog plum sprouts on branches that have strong budding capabilities. However, the branches can easily become overcrowded and need frequent pruning to maintain the shape, air circulation, and light exposure within the tree. This also helps to prevent pests and diseases while at the same time helping the leaves receive more sunlight.
Hog plum can generate a large amount of fruit without any artificial pollination. Because hog plum can produce a large number of flowers with a high yield of fruit, to maintain its growth and the quality of fruit, it is recommended that some flowers and fruit be removed to concentrate the nutrients for the remaining fruit. As a result, there will not be a large amount of fruit, but those left will be of higher quality and have an improved flavor.
Propagation
Hog plum is propagated through cuttings. This method involves taking healthy, well-developed stem cuttings and rooting them in a suitable growing medium. It’s crucial to select cuttings with mature, woody sections, as these will have a better chance of successfully rooting. The cut ends may benefit from a rooting hormone application to encourage root development. Planting the cuttings in a pot or a prepared bed with a mix of sand and peat moss can provide the ideal conditions for propagation. Consistent moisture and warmth, but not direct sunlight, will foster root growth and help establish new plants efficiently.
Transplanting
To ensure the robust establishment of hog plum, transplanting is most fruitful from the onset of spring through to its latter part, as the moderate temperatures aid root development. Choose a location with well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure to promote healthy growth. A gentle reminder: be delicate when handling roots to avoid stress, encouraging successful transplantation.
III. Harvesting and Storage
The fruits of hog plum usually ripen in the early fall and can be picked for eating. If the fruit needs to be stored or transported a long distance, it is better to harvest the fruit before it softens, such as during the late summer or early fall. Note that fruit should be handled gently and, ideally, and the twig should remain on the fruit.
