Prunus cerasifera

The purple leaf plum or cherry plum is a medium-sized, ornamental, deciduous tree that is typically short-lived. The tree is upright and twiggy with a rounded to vase-shaped crown and brittle wood. Small, fragrant, pure white, 5-petaled flowers with numerous stamens bloom in the spring as the leaves emerge. The leaves are green, ovate, or elliptic with serrated margins.  Fruits, if produced, are cherry-like yellow or red and very attractive to birds. Varieties or cultivars of this species have deep reddish purple foliage and flowers of pale pink or lavender. The unique feature of these cultivars is that the leaves retain the purple color until they drop in the fall.

The purple leaf plum is native to southeast Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas. It currently only exists in cultivation except where it has escaped gardens and naturalized. In the United States, this tree has naturalized in portions of the northeast and far west. 

The genus name, Prunus, is Latin and means plum or cherry. The epithet, cerasifera, is derived from two Latin words, cerasus, meaning cherry tree, and ferre, which means to bear. 

This tree flowers best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It requires moist, well-drained, loamy soils; however, it is adaptable to many soil conditions. Due to the structure of the tree and its brittle wood, it may be short-lived. When purchasing this tree, the specimen must have a good central leader. If the tree is pruned and well-cared for it may live 60 to 80 years. 

The species is not usually found commercially and is not typically used as an ornamental; however, there are many varieties and cultivars available for purchase. The purple-leaved and pink-flowered cultivars are very popular with many gardeners because of their ornamental value. Most years, these ornamental trees produce little or no fruit. 

The purple-leaved cultivars are best used as a specimen in the home landscape, and their foliage adds three-season interest. This spring small flowering tree is a great addition to a Japanese garden, butterfly garden, or cottage garden.

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring     Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall     Fruits:  Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• medium-sized, upright, spreading, rounded to the vase-shaped crown, twiggy, ornamental deciduous tree
• thin reddish-brown to dark gray smooth bark  with lenticels, when young
• as it matures, the bark splits and has furrows and ridges
• leaves are alternate, simple, ovate, serrated margins, dark green, shiny with paler undersides with hairs along the veins
• fragrant, white, 5-petaled, 1-inch in diameter flowers with numerous stamens
• round, 1.25 inch, reddish to yellow drupes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Purple leaf plum is susceptible to many insects and diseases. The potential insects include borers, aphids, scales, leafhoppers, caterpillars, tent caterpillars, Japanese beetles, and spider mites.  They are susceptible to diseases such as black knots, leaf spots, dieback, leaf curls, powdery mildew, root rot, and fire blight. This tree is frequently damaged by deer.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University