Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'
Purple Cherry Plum

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Pink (0.75" diam., pale pink, solitary, 5-petaled, strongly fragrant flowers)
 Foliage Notes:
Purple (Leaves emerge ruby red, ultimately becoming a dark reddish purple in the summer; there is no significant fall color change)
 Fruit Notes:
Purple (1" edible, mildly sweet, but not flavorful, fruits in late summer)
 Ultimate Height:
15-30 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
15-25 feet
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Tolerant of typical soils, if well-drained; pH adaptable
 Range:
Cultivated origin
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Shrub-like tree with a rounded form and spreading branches. Leaves are red-purple, 1.5-2.5" long, simple, alternate, ovate to obovate, and finely serrated. There is no spur growth.

Additional Information

This tree is not pollution tolerant and is short-lived, often living to only about 20 years. There are numerous diseases and pests that can affect Prunus cerasifera, especially canker, fireblight, leaf spots, powdery mildew, aphids, scale, borers, and tent caterpillars. Despite its drawbacks, this tree is extraordinarily popular and has been used extensively in the landscape. The straight species Prunus cerasifera is not often seen, with purple-leaf forms, such as 'Atropurpurea' being the most predominant. This variant also has pale pink flowers and a more upright, dense habit than the straight species.

When Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea' has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Other plants like this Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea' (Purple Cherry Plum)

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