Prunus cerasifera

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Plant
ID 179 Prunus cerasifera
Botanic Name Prunus cerasifera
Common Name Purple Leafed Plum, Cherry Plum
Family Name Rosaceae
Cultivars 'Atropurpurea','Festeri','Hessei','Hollywood','Trailblazer','Newport','Nigra','Purpusii','Thundercloud'
Origin South East Europe, South West Asia, Zone 3-10
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Smooth
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use Medium
No. of Species 430
Growth Habit Vase-shape Growth Rate Medium
Height 4 - 6 m (13 - 20 ft) Spread 4 m (13 ft)
Plant Overview
This deciduous tree has a short trunk with dark bark and forms a vase habit with a rounded crown. It has dark purple leaves and the saucer-shaped white flowers appear in early spring. The cultivar 'Nigra' produces darker leaves and pale pink flowers.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Elliptical
The 70 mm (2 2/3 in) long leaves are ovate to elliptical up to 40 mm (1 5/8 in) wide with a finely crenulate margin. The apex is acute to obtuse and the petiole is up to 12 mm (½ in) long.
Arrangement Spiral
Margin Crenulate
Colour Purple
Size 35 - 70 mm ( 1.4 - 2.8 in )
Flower
Perfume Fragrant Additional Information
Shape Crateriform
The single crateriform flowers appear on a short spur branch when the tree is 1 to 3 years old and normally before the leaves during early spring. The cultivar 'Nigra' has single pale pink flowers with a reddish calyx.
Inflorescence Solitary
Colour White - pink
Size 20 - 25 mm ( 0.8 - 1.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Drupe Additional Information
Colour Red
The 20 mm (¾ in) ovoid fleshy drupe is reddish green and edible but not palatable. The small seeds are viable but the plant is normally reproduced vegetatively.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 15 - 20 mm ( 0.6 - 0.8 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moderately fertile moist, sandy to clay loam, pH 5.0-7.5
Container Not normally grown in a container, large tubs or planter boxes
Climate Cold - cool temperate
Aspect Full sun, wind protected position, drought and frost tolerant
Pest & Diseases Borer, scale, aphids, tentmaker caterpillars, canker, leaf spot, honey fungi
Fertiliser Complete fertiliser during spring and keep moist during summer
Pruning Prune after flowering from the centre, remove dead wood and older flowering branches
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Purple Leafed Plum is grown for its spreading crown and masses of pink spring flowers. It is planted in shrub borders for screening or used as a specimen in a Japanese garden along avenues and in parks. It is also used for street plantings.
Take hardwood cuttings in winter. Plants are budded onto seedling understock.
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