Purple Leaf Plum Tree

Prunus Cerasifera is the scientific name of purple leaf plum tree, which is also commonly known as the cherry plum, myrobalan plum and thundercloud purple leaf plum. It is a medium sized deciduous plant. Purple leaf plum tree is an ornamental tree, which is mainly popular for its rich purple or reddish colored foliage. It is mainly grown for gardening as well as for landscaping. It was in 1880, that this plant was introduced to the western world by M. Pissard, who brought it from Persia to France. Now many hybrid varieties of the purple leaf plum tree are available. This tree is quite popular in many parts of the United States.

Purple Leaf Plum Tree

Purple leaf plum tree is a small plant. The lifespan of this tree is comparatively short, as It generally lives upto 20 years on an average. It can reach a height of 25 feet, however, many of them are found in the range between 15 to 25 feet. At maturity, the tree grows to a width of 20 to 25 feet. This ornamental purple leaf plum tree is really attractive due to their purple leaves and beautiful pale pink or white flowers. These characteristic leaves grow to a length of about 1.5 - 3 inches with serrated margins.

The tree start flowering early in the spring, i.e. from February to April with small, fragrant light pink or white colored flowers. Purple leaf plum tree is one of those few trees, whose blooming marks the arrival of spring. The leaves start appearing just after the fading of the flowers. One frequently asked question is that do purple leaf plum trees bear fruit. Purple leaf plum trees bear small, deep red or purple colored fruits in July. The fruits are usually about the size of a cherry and ripen in August. They are edible, either raw or as jam, depending on whether they are sweet or sour. The leaves are generally shed in the month of August and by the end of September, the tree completely loses all its foliage.

How to Grow Purple Leaf Plum Tree

Purple leaf plum tree can be grown in any soil type, provided the soil is moist and well drained. A slightly acidic soil is suitable for planting this tree, though it can also be grown in other types of soil too. The place selected for growing this tree should be well exposed to sunlight. The trees that are grown in shady areas usually produce green and not purple leaves. Seeds are the unit for propagation, though you can also use vegetative parts for that purpose.

Pruning is a very important part of maintenance and care for the purple leaf plum tree. Pruning can encourage blossoming of this tree and make it more attractive. It is also important to remove the damaged and dead branches occasionally to retain the ornamental value. Watering should be done on a regular basis, but do not water the plant excessively. Another noteworthy fact is that a young purple leaf plum tree has a tendency to bend, especially after a rain. Though usually it does regain its former posture, once the leaves have dried completely, but a heavy rain can result in permanent drooping. This problem can also be solved by pruning.

Though the tree is great for enhancing look of your garden and lawn, the flowers can attract many undesirable insects. Bees will be more common during the flowering season, while the tree is also vulnerable to tent caterpillars, aphids, mealy bugs and other pests. Sometimes, you may also witness some diseases like gray mold, cankers and leaf spots that can diminish the beauty of the purple leaf plum tree. Therefore, make sure to take care of this tree, to give an attractive and fresh look to your garden.