Purple Leaf Plum

If you are after a purple leaved tree to add some contrasting foliage in the garden then you can't go far wrong with Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'. There are a number of different Cherry Plum cultivars but 'Nigra' in my view outshines the competition. It has a pleasant rounded habit that does well to reach 10m and can be kept smaller as it responds well to pruning no matter how severe.

The fun starts just as the nights begin to lengthen and the promise of spring is around the corner with a profusion of early flowers that emerge pink before fading to white. Bud burst follows and rich red leaves unfold to produce a vibrant canopy, leaves then deepen to purple over the summer before fading to shades of orange and red during the autumn fall.

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is a resilient performer that will thrive on any relatively free draining garden soil and of course is fully hardy.

Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993

Tree Specs

• Common Name: Purple leaved Plum Cherry
• Botanical Name: Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'
• Mature Height: 5-10m
• Key Features:
  • Purple foliage
  • Spring flowers
  • Excellent shape and form