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Thundercloud Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud'

Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ser-ah-SIF-er-a
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Thundercoud Cherry Plum is a small ornamental flowering tree in the rose family.  It has one of the darkest purple eaves and twigs of all the flowering plums.  Flowers appear right before leaves and provide an excellent contrast of pale pink against dark red  Plant as a specimen or in groupings as a hedge or screen in a Japanese or cottage garden or at the back of a border.

Prune right after flowering to maintain shape.  It can be propagated through chip budding, grafting or softwood cuttings in the early summer.

Insects Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, caterpillars, and leaf miners are occasional insect pests. Diseases include cankers, and wilts.

More information on Prunus cerasifera.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Sloped Front Yard
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#fragrant flowers#specimen#pink flowers#purple leaves#red leaves#spring flowers#cottage garden#flowering tree#Japanse garden#purple stems#screening#courtyard garden#flowers late spring#border back#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#flowers midspring#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#fragrant flowers#specimen#pink flowers#purple leaves#red leaves#spring flowers#cottage garden#flowering tree#Japanse garden#purple stems#screening#courtyard garden#flowers late spring#border back#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#flowers midspring#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    cerasifera
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits attract birds and small mammals.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Masses of fragrant showy pink to white single flowers with 5 petals
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Ruby red when they first emerge in the spring turning dark purple as they age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Small Tree
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    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