It requires a bit of maintenance yet gardeners love it for its beautiful spring flowers and rich leaf coloring.
It is a relatively small tree with a rounded growth habit.
The elliptical leaves can range in color from purple to green.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
This tree has a moderate growth rate of about one to two feet per year.
Its best planted in the early spring or fall.
It is a larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus).
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Purpleleaf Plum Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing a purpleleaf plum tree:
S.G.S.
/ Wikimedia Commons / CC0
Light
This tree grows best infull sun.
Six to eight hours of sunlight per day results in the most vibrantpurple leaf color.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It also can tolerate clay and sandy soil.
It does not tolerate compacted soil or pollution and will struggle to grow in urban conditions.
Water
This tree prefers a moderate amount of soil moisture.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Once its established, it does have some drought tolerance.
It likely will need extra waterings during long stretches without rainfall or in extreme summer heat.
Temperature and Humidity
The purpleleaf plum can grow in a climate with cold winters and hot summers.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Humidity also is typically not an issue.
Fertilizer
This tree likes moderately rich soil.
Fertilize annually in the spring as new growth begins with an all-purpose fertilizer, following the product label instructions.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
If your soil is rich and fertile, you might only need to fertilize every two to three years.
Growing them from seed is not recommended, because it won’t produce a tree true to bang out.
Overwintering
Purpleleaf plum is hardy to USDA zone 4 and does not require winter protection.
S.G.S. / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The tree is susceptible to a large number of pests and diseases.
It also affects its lifespan.
The purpleleaf plum is a relatively short-lived tree, lasting only around 20 years.
Insects that might infest the tree include Japanese beetles, mealybugs, borers, tent caterpillars, and scales.
Another possibility is improper pruning in the spring when you accidentally removed the flower buds.
How long does Purpleleaf Plum Bloom?
The length of the bloom also depends on weather and typically lasts one week and up to two weeks.
What Do Purpleleaf Plum Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The small flowers are pinkish-white and saucer-shaped with red calyxes and 4 to 5 petals.
The flowers are fragrant and almond-scented.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Taking proper care of your tree is key for it to bloom.
The fruit serves as a food source for songbirds and small animals.
Note though that this is an ornamental tree.
Purple leaf sand cherryis a shrub, not a tree like the purpleleaf plum.
The sand cherry is also hardier than the purpleleaf plum.
North Carolina State University Extension.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Plum.
Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’.
NC State University Cooperative Extension.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
