Oemleria cerasiformis
Oregon plum, Oslo berry, Indian plum
Also known as Osmaronia cerasiformis
- Height × spread
- 3m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Winter, Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This shrub has very pretty, fragrant, white flowers that are small, slightly fan-shaped tubes. These hang under the branches during February and March and smell of almonds. Male and female flowers are borne on different plants, the female has less attractive blooms than the male but, if you want the fruits, you do, of course, need both sorts. The new foliage is a pretty, sea-green colour that darkens as it matures. It produces decorative, brownish-purple, round fruits that look like plums but taste bitter and have a strong fragrance of almond.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Green-pale
- Fruit colour
- Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, honey-almond
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter, Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early · Planting
Remove suckers
Remove any suckers that have appeared round the base of the plant. They can often be pulled up, but it may be necessary to use secateurs or loppers to detach them from the parent plant.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.