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Form
Small tree with rounded crown; often appearing multi-stemmed
due to low branching and twigginess.
Leaves
Simple, alternate leaf is oval, 1 1/2" – 3" long
and 1" – 2" wide, with a finely toothed margin. Leaf
color of the species is shiny dark green but the purple-leave cultivar
is the plant generally grown.
Fall Color
No significant change in color of the purple-leaved cultivar.
Stem/Buds/Bark
Slender stems are reddish brown or purplish brown with large,
prominent lenticels. Bark darkens with age to purple-black or purple-gray
and peels, revealing the pink inner bark. Single buds occur in leaf
axils and terminal buds are lacking.
Flowers
Fragrant flowers, l" diameter, are usually solitary. They
are white on the species and pink on the purple-leaved cultivar;
very showy.
Flowering Time
April, before the leaves emerge.
Fruit
A purplish drupe, 1" diameter, ripens July to August.
Landscape Uses
The purple-leaved cultivar is a good specimen tree for the lawn,
patio or container culture. The species is not recommended. The
effect of this plum’s dominating foliage color on the overall
landscape design should be taken into consideration.
Major Landscape Features
Small specimen tree; showy flowers; purple-leaved cultivar.
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Hardiness Range
3 – 8
Native Habitat
Western Asia, Caucasia
Height
15 – 30 feet
Growth Rate
Medium
Spread
10 – 25 feet
Exposure
Sun
Culture
Purpleleaf plum grows best in moist, well-drained sites
but will tolerate hot, dry areas. It is pH adaptable but compacted,
heavy soils and air pollution should be avoided. Vigorous
growth will help Prunus species resist the many insect and
disease problems to which they are susceptible. Prune after
flowering to then the crown.
Pest Problems
Insects – Peach twig borer, aphids, scale, eastern
tent caterpillar, lesser peach tree borer.
Diseases – Leaf spots, black knot.
Cultivars
‘Atropurpurea’ – An upright form with larger
leaves and 3/4" pink flowers’ new leaves are ruby-red
and darken to a reddish purple; often called Pissard plum
after the gardener who introduced it.
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