Oemleria cerasiformis

RHS Plant Profile

oso berry

RHS 1999

Other common names

Indian plum, Oregon plum

Synonyms

Osmaronia cerasiformis
Nuttallia cerasiformis

Shrubs

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Forms a dense thicket of erect stems to 2.5m tall, with pale green leaves and small white flowers, male and female on separate plants

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Suckering
Genus: Oemleria are suckering deciduous shrubs with lance-shaped leaves and drooping racemes of small flowers opening before the leaves in early spring, followed on female plants by plum-like purple fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. In moist soil, plants may sucker extensively; remove excess suckers to restrict growth

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe, take greenwood or softwood cuttings in early summer. Transplant suckers in early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May become chlorotic in shallow, chalky soil