Purple-leaf plum trees can be planted as bare-root trees over the dormant period in the late autumn, winter or early spring. Prunus trees can also be prone to pest problems, which can be mitigated at least to a degree by the inclusion of plants which repel, confuse or distract them in surrounding guilds. Like other plums and cherries, purple-leaf plum trees require pollinators for a good fruit set, so it is particularly important to make sure that sufficient pollinators are around early in the year when these trees are in blossom. cerasifera, like other fruit trees, will benefit from careful consideration of the plants that surround it.Ĭreating a guild of beneficial companion plants around trees within this genus can help in organic pest control, beneficial wildlife attraction and maintaining soil health and fertility. Guild PlantingĮven when grown as an ornamental tree, P. These trees are typically grown as stand-alone specimen trees in gardens, but they can also be interesting additions to a woodland garden with other trees that have varied and attractive foliage. They can cope with an exposed location but may perform best in a more sheltered site. They may struggle where the soil is too compacted and, since they are shallow-rooted, should not be grown where these roots will be disrupted. Ideally, these trees prefer rich and relatively loamy soil which has an acidic to neutral pH, though they can also grow in moderately alkaline conditions. It is H6 hardy and will easily survive winter conditions throughout the UK. While usually grown in the ground, smaller cultivars can also potentially be grown in large containers. They can cope with some light shade but will perform best and fruit far better in full sun. Purple-leaf plum trees require well-drained yet moisture-retentive soil. ‘Thundercloud’, with deep red-purple leaves, the slightly smaller ‘Krauter Vesuvius’, ‘Newport’ with bronze purple leaves which change to red-purple in the autumn, and the dwarf variety ‘Purple Pony’ are some other options to consider. Common VarietiesĪ number of cultivars of this species have been selected for their purple foliage, such as ‘Atropurpurea’, ‘Pissardi’ and ‘Nigra’ – which also has an RHS Award of Garden Merit. These trees are self-fertile but can also be pollinated by other Prunus varieties. This is one of the first European trees to blossom as the flowers begin to open from mid-February onwards before the leaves emerge. cerasifera is an ancestor of the cultivated plum and, in the wild, grows into small trees which can grow up to around 8-12m tall. cerasifera is native to Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, but it has naturalised in the UK, as well as in several other locations in North America and Southeastern Australia. In the UK, the fruits are not often borne in large quantities, but large crops can be produced every 4 years or so. The small plums have thin skins and many have a deliciously sweet flavour, though some are sourer and best cooked with sweeteners. Prunus cerasifera is also a great choice because the deep purple fruits are attractive in their own right and can be eaten and enjoyed when ripe. Often, the foliage will change colour significantly from spring through summer to autumn, giving a beautiful and exciting display that is never boring. There is a lot of variation in size between the species’ cultivars and the exact hue of the foliage throughout the year. Purple-leaf cherry plums are highly prized as garden trees because of their ornamental appeal. This tree is a great choice for those who wish to have a beautiful and productive garden – the best of both worlds – since it will look great throughout the year and will also provide you with an edible yield. Purple-Leaf Plum Tree, Prunus cerasifera, is a wonderful ornamental tree that also has edible fruits.
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