Cherry Plum

The cherry plum (sometimes called the myrobalan plum) is a native hedgerow deciduous tree. It is one of the earliest cherries to flower and in the autumn, it produces large red berries that taste like the orchard plums but are not so sweet.

The plant is used to growing in the wild and does not need a lot of attention once it is planted out and watered in. They are native trees and even when young are hardy. They will do well in a range of soils and situations and are not too difficult.

The plant is quite vigorous and will grow sideways by suckers as well as upwards toward the sun. Don’t be afraid to prune the plant into the shape suitable for your garden. You can leave as in a hedge or you can remove the lower branches, so it becomes a little tree. Why not cut it back just before the flower buds open, and bring the prunings inside to open in a vase?

The fruits are edible, but as they are not very sweet, they are better used in pies, jams and jellies than eaten raw. Or you can be generous and leave them to the birds!