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Purpleleaf Plum Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'

Previously known as:

  • Prunus cerasifera 'Pisardii'
Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ser-as-IF-er-a
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Purpleleaf Plum is a shrub to a small tree in the rose family that grows 15-25 feet tall and wide with a vase to a rounded shape. The reddish-purple leaves are the attraction to this plant along with the showy white spring flowers. The leaves maintain their color most of the year. They are fairly short-lived and susceptible to insects and diseases. Twigs and fruit drop can be messy.

Purpleleaf plum isn't picky about soil type or pH and is moderately drought tolerant once established. Leaf color is best when grown in full sun.

Problems: Susceptible to Aphids, Beetle Borers, Caterpillars, Scales and Spider Mites, Armillaria, Root Rot, Rust, Sooty Mold and Verticillium

Quick ID Hints:

  • Deciduous tree with reddish-purple foliage all season
  • Leaves with minute glands at the petiole, or may lack these altogether

More information on Prunus cerasifera.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#purple leaves#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#showy leaves#spring flowers#messy#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#purple leaves#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#showy leaves#spring flowers#messy#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    cerasifera
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Parent plant is from Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and small mammals are attracted to the fruit.
    Edibility:
    The fruit is sweet but rather tasteless
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    .5 to 1.5-inch fleshy fruits are reddish-purple drupes are produced prolifically and are edible by wildlife and humans.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are solitary, 1-inch wide, 5-petaled, white, fragrant, and bloom just before leaves are borne in the spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are 2-4 inches long and 1-2 inches wide with alternate leaf arrangement, ovate to oval to obovate, acute, rotund to broadly cuneate, dentately-crenate, glabrate, and is typically reddish-purple all season. Petioles have minute, pimple-like glands at the blade base, or lack them altogether.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Bark Description:
    Bark dark brown and fissured.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Reddish-brown stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Messy
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycosides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems