Beach Plum

Elisabeth — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Beach plum or Prunus maritima is just what it sounds like-- a plum tree that grows along the seashore or sometimes even along lake shores. It's a small native tree (about ten feet tall at maturity) that can survive some fairly adverse conditions, including salt spray. The real glory of the beach plum is the fruit. You can't eat it out of hand unless you like things that are extremely sour, but it makes the most delicious jelly--richly flavored with enough tartness to make it interesting.

Of course you can buy beach plum jelly in some places and if you are not inclined to grow the tree and make it yourself, you certainly should. However, the other glory of the beach plum is its fragrant white spring blossoms. Even if the tree never bore a single plum, the scent would be enough to justify growing Prunus maritima.

In some ways it seems a shame to have to buy a beach plum tree. It is nicer to find one serendipitously on a beach somewhere. Most of us are not that lucky, however, so if you have the right sunny spot, beach plum is a great plant to have. As you might suspect, it likes excellent drainage. Clay soils are not right for this sand or shale-loving species.

For those lucky enough to have a beach and the erosion worries that go with it, beach plum is also a worthwhile investment. Its roots hold the soil, helping to keep the beach in one place so you will have a vactaion spot--plus lots of tasty beach plum jelly--for years to come.

Quick Draining Soil

Elisabeth — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:51:00 GMT

The soil that supports my home garden is heavy clay, which is constantly in need of lightening. The garden at my summer cottage, however, is planted on a shale beach. Shale, which is composed mostly of fine gravel and small stones, is as free-draining as sand. If you dig a hole in the shale and pour in a cup of water, it will disappear immediately. Needless to say planting is a challenge.

It can be done, however. Right now my beach garden is home to several thriving lavender plants, a coreopsis, two rosebushes and some daylilies. None of the plants get more than sporadic attention, since my sister and I own the cottage jointly and she is less interested in gardening than I.

To mitigate the effects of free-draining "soil", I line the planting holes with two layers of newspaper. Then I fill the holes part way with water, install the plants and mulch them, usually with "seaweed" from the beach. Afterwards, the plants are on their own. The newspaper lining slows water loss while the plants develop strong roots. By the time the newspaper has degraded, those roots are long and tough.

This lining technique works equally well in sandy soil. Use it and you can grow a wide variety of perennials and annuals, enjoying their beauty and fragrance while your neighbors are complaining about their poor soil.

Growing Wise : beach gardening

Beach Plum

Quick Draining Soil