How to Plant a Flowering Plum Tree
Flowering plum trees are ornamental deciduous trees that bloom in early spring with pastel pink or white cup-shaped blossoms. They are one of the first flowering trees to boast their showy blossoms and bloom for three to four weeks. Their leaves remain dark purple until late spring, changing to green in mid-summer and golden-brown in late fall.
These ornamental trees grow 15 to 20 feet tall and spread about 15 feet, making them a desirable tree to add to your landscape. Flowering plum trees are easy to grow with minimal care when properly planted. They prefer a sunny location with slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil having a pH between 4 and 7. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and have a relatively short lifespan of around 10 to 15 years. It is best to plant flowering plum trees in the spring or the fall.
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Instructions
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Select a flowering plum tree that has no evidence of disease. The tree will come planted in a large container or with the root ball wrapped in burlap.
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Dig a hole the same depth as the root ball of your tree. You must make the hole a minimum of three times wider in circumference than the root ball to allow the root system room to spread. Leave some loose soil in the bottom of the hole to encourage root growth.
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Remove the burlap from the tree's root ball, being careful to not damage the fragile roots. Set the tree close to the hole before doing this to ensure the soil stays with the roots when placed in the hole.
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Loosen and straighten the roots gently with your hands before placing it in the hole. If the roots are compacted you may need to water them lightly in order to do this.
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Set your flowering plum tree in the hole, holding it by the root ball, not the trunk. Backfill the hole all around the root ball with the original soil you removed. Pat the soil gently with your hands to eliminate air pockets--don't compress the soil. The soil should be level with the height of the root ball, not above it.
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Water your flowering plum tree right after planting it, then water it every day for two or three weeks. Fertilize your tree annually with a reliable 5-30-5 fertilizer to encourage healthy growth and abundant blossoms.
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Tips & Warnings
Watch for any signs of disease that could affect your tree.
Don't overwater your flowering plum tree.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit flowering image by vladt from Fotolia.com
