Prunus umbellata, flatwoods plum, white spring flowers on dark gnarled branches.
Prunus umbellata, flatwoods plum, white spring flowers on dark gnarled branches.
Native Pollinator Edible Fragrant

Flatwoods Plum

Prunus umbellata

$23.00 Sold out
USDA Zones 6–9 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 12–20 Feet

Prunus umbellata, the flatwoods plum, is a picturesque single-trunked native plum that clouds its dark, gnarled branches in fragrant white spring flowers, then ripens tart purple plums for jelly and wildlife.

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

Prunus umbellata, the flatwoods plum, is a picturesque small deciduous tree native to well-drained soils across the southeastern United States. Where the Chickasaw plum forms suckering thickets, the flatwoods plum grows as a single, gnarled, small tree with rough, dark bark and a wide, open crown, an old-field and fence-row character that reads as quietly beautiful in age.

In spring the bare branches carry clouds of small white flowers, often aging to pink, a little later than the Chickasaw plum and a welcome early nectar source for bees and the season's first butterflies. The bloom is one of the loveliest sights of the southern early spring, dense and fragrant against the dark bark.

Small, sour, purple plums follow in summer, tart and puckering fresh but excellent cooked into jelly and preserves, and taken freely by birds, foxes, and other wildlife. The fruit is a traditional country jelly plum across the South, gathered from wild trees for generations.

Grow the flatwoods plum as a small specimen, a wildlife tree, or an anchor in a native or naturalistic planting, in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. The single-trunk, non-suckering habit makes the plant far easier to place than the thicketing plums, and the gnarled winter silhouette earns a spot even out of leaf. Give room for the open crown, and pair with other native small trees and shrubs at a woodland edge.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 6–9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 12–20 Feet · Spread 8–10 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Deciduous
Design Notes

A single-trunked native plum for wildlife. Grow the flatwoods plum as a small specimen, a wildlife tree, or an anchor at a woodland edge or in a native planting, where the fragrant white spring bloom, dark gnarled bark, and tart summer plums each earn a season. Unlike the suckering Chickasaw plum, the flatwoods plum stays a single tree, so the plant is far easier to place in a designed garden. Give full sun and well-drained soil, pair with other native small trees and shrubs, and leave the fruit for jelly or for the birds, foxes, and other wildlife that gather it.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

White flowers aging to pink, later-blooming than Chickasaw plum

Flower. Small, white, five-petaled flowers, often aging to pink, in umbels along the bare branches in early to mid spring, a little later than the Chickasaw plum; fragrant, and an early nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Fruit. Small, round, sour purple plums with a waxy bloom in summer, puckering fresh but excellent cooked into jelly and preserves; prized by birds and other wildlife.

Foliage. Small, oval, finely toothed leaves, clean green through summer and turning yellow in fall; deciduous, on a gnarled, dark-barked frame.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; sun gives the heaviest bloom and fruit.

Soil. Well-drained; adaptable to sandy and loamy ground, and naturally a well-drained-soil plant.

Water. Water to establish, then drought tolerant.

Pruning. Little needed, since the single-trunk habit needs no thicket thinning; remove dead or crossing wood in late winter, and watch for brown rot and black knot.

Hardiness. USDA zones 6 to 9.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?

We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.