- Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 6 - 10 Feet
- Mature Spread 6 - 10 Feet
- Growing Zones 2 - 8
Purpleleaf Sandcherry, Dwarf Red-Leaf Plum, or Prunus X Cistena is a dainty, multi-stemmed shrub with intense, new leaf foliage in deep purple to burgundy shades that matures to a coppery purple and stays through the summer. In the spring, it flowers with fragrant single pink blooms on spindly branches, offering a striking contrast to the deeper colors of the foliage. It may also produce small, deep-purple fruit. Growing to a height of 6 to 10 feet, with a spread of 5 to 8 feet, the Purpleleaf Sandcherry is top pick for growers looking for intoxicating fragrance and beautiful foliage.
Native to Western Asia and the Northeastern United States, the Purpleleaf Sandcherry is a quick growing, and will form in a natural, rounded shape. The Purpleleaf is a favorite of birds, who love to make nests within its dense branches. It is an urban tolerant plant that is adaptive and colorful. It is very hardy and tolerates both cold and hot temperatures, and is deer resistant.
Purpleleaf Sandcherry Care
This beautiful Sandcherry needs a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. Full sun and partial shade are the best choices. Purpleleaf is tolerant of poor and sandy soil, but prefers acidic, moist, and well-drained soils. It is not drought-tolerant. Sandcherry is a member of the rose family, and as such is susceptible to several diseases like trunk canker, and pests like borers and Japanese beetles. Watch your tree for signs of distress in mid to late summer.
You can prune your Purpleleaf Sandcherry as a single-trunked tree, or multi-stemmed shrub. If you want your Sandcherry to have a single trunk, instead of the traditional multi-stems, start when the tree is young by pruning the root suckers as they appear, immediately following flowering. Branches should also be removed if they are heavy or weighing the plant down. The gray-brown trunk of the Sandcherry is prone to fissuring and can occasionally ooze sap.
Purpleleaf Sandcherry Spacing
Excellent for urban borders as well as small patios, Purpleleaf Sandcherry can be planted as a deciduous hedge, or en masse in areas that need contrasting color.
Purpleleaf Sandcherry Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 - 8 |
Plant Type: Trees |
Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 6 - 10 Feet |
Mature Spread: 5 - 8 Feet |
Spacing: 5 - 8 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: Late April |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Purple, Red |
Foliage Description: Purple-Red |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Hedges & Privacy, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators |
Brand: |
Common Name: Purpleleaf Sandcherry |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: PRUNUS CISTENA |
- SKU:
- 1231000145-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.