Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Rosaceae

Genus:

Prunus

Species:

Prunus pumila

USDA Symbol:

PRPU3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

250 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

white

Ground Cover:

Yes

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals, pollinators

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

red, orange, yellow

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Historically part of fire-maintained dune and sand prairie ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

Commonly found in sandy dunes and rocky shores

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–150 days

Germination Time:

30–90 days

Notes:

Requires warm stratification (60-90 days) followed by cold stratification (90-120 days). Seeds may take two seasons to germinate.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI