Darling Plum  Reynosia septentrionalis  (also known as Red Ironwood) is a slow-growing, multi-use shrubby tree, found in coastal hammocks throughout the Caribbean, the Keys, and along the coast of Florida, up to the central part of the state.

Charmingly tough is the best way to describe this slow-growing shrub, which, the books say, reaches heights up to 20 feet, or more.  You can let it get that big if you want, or you can easily maintain it at 6-10 feet high, with regular pruning (not hedging).

Darling plum has high salt- and drought-tolerance.  Plant in well-drained locations in full sun.  Try one in a pot at the edge of the walkway to your beach, or on the patio next to the jacuzzi.  If you don't have your own beach or jacuzzi, use some against your southern wall, where nothing ever does well because it gets so hot there.   

Mix a few in with your native screening, where, over time, it will fill in all the little spaces, making that horrendous pink house next door disappear forever!

With its great salt and drought tolerance, it makes a nice accent piece in a sunny location, either in the ground or in a pot on the patio.
	You may let it grow wild as part of your screening, as we have done here in the front of our nursery.
Darling  plum has the simple, charming beauty of a country girl who has grown up running barefoot through the backwoods. At first glance, she appears a little wild.  The closer you look, the more appreciative you become of her many positive features.
New growth provides a lively chorus in shades of red.  If you listen in the right way, you will hear cheery tunes celebrating the rising of the sun.
	The flowers are tiny, petal-less things that develop quickly into fruits, which ripen to black.
The fruits are about the size of olives, with a similarly-sized seed inside.  The fruit tastes similar to pear.  You can eat a bunch before you even realize it.
	While it sure is a cute little thing, the common name comes from a renowned botanist named Darling.
Above in 15-gal., about 4' high.	Above, in 20-gal., 5'-6' high.

Last updated:  01/22/2008