Purple Plum Tree Facts
It's not the fruit but the leaves that are purple on purple plum trees, sometimes called cherry plums. Deciduous in the winter, the trees bear ornamental flowers in spring followed quickly by the emergence of reddish leaves that mature to a deep red-purple to deep purple. These trees make vibrant contrasting accents in landscapes that are filled primarily with green-leaved trees. Depending on species, purple plum trees are best grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 2 through 8.
Origins
The Myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera) is the source for the many modern hybrid purple plum tree varieties. Native to western Asia and the Caucasus, this tree bears white springtime flowers and dark green leaves. Originally other fruits, like edible sweet and sour cherry or plum, were grafted onto the tough, hardy rootstock of the Myrobalan plum. A historic genetic mutation prior to 1880 discovered by the gardener to the Shah of Iran revealed the first purple-leaf variety named 'Atropurpurea' according to American wood plant expert Dr. Michael Dirr. It is often called the Pissard plum to honor the gardener who selected it.
- It's not the fruit but the leaves that are purple on purple plum trees, sometimes called cherry plums.
- Originally other fruits, like edible sweet and sour cherry or plum, were grafted onto the tough, hardy rootstock of the Myrobalan plum.
Genetic Crosses
After the introduction of 'Atropurpurea' into the horticultural world in the 19th century, other cherry species were genetically crossed with it to yield other purple plum trees. When 'Atropurpurea' was hybridized with Japanese apricot (Prunus mume) the species Prunus x blireiana was formed. It is a tree to 20 feet tall with fragrant pink flowers and reddish-purple leaves that mature to green. When 'Atropurpurea' was crossed with sandcherry (Prunus pumila), a small tree about 10 feet tall resulted, called the purpleleaf sandcherry (Prunus x cistena). Its pink flowers open alongside the young purple leaves in spring.
Cultivated Varieties
Three additional cultivated varieties were selected from 'Atropurpurea.' These cultivars displayed different flower colors or other foliage color properties and different overall tree size that afforded their use in gardens. 'Krauter Vesuvius' grows 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide and bears blackish red-purple leaves and whitish-pink flowers with little fruiting. 'Thundercloud' grows 20 feet tall and wide and produces slighter deeper pink flowers later than those of 'Krauter Vesuvius,' with which it is often confused. 'Thundercloud' retains the rich, deep-purple leaf color superbly across the heat of summer. Lastly, 'Newport' grows 15 to 20 tall and wide with a rounded canopy and bronze-red emerging leaves that mature deep red-purple. Its flowers are pinkish white. 'Mount St. Helens' was a genetic sport off of 'Newport' and is faster growing with slightly larger leaves. 'Purple Pony' does not produce fruits and grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide. Other cultivars of purpleleaf sandcherry include 'Big Cis' and 'Minnesota Red.'
- After the introduction of 'Atropurpurea' into the horticultural world in the 19th century, other cherry species were genetically crossed with it to yield other purple plum trees.
- Thundercloud' grows 20 feet tall and wide and produces slighter deeper pink flowers later than those of 'Krauter Vesuvius,' with which it is often confused. '
Uses
Depending on mature size, purple plum trees are grown as singular specimen trees that double as a small shade tree in lawns, foundation beds or mixed borders. Shorter types work well as an informal screen or hedgerow. Michael Dirr suggests using these purple-foliaged plants with discretion as their visual color can be overpowering if not balanced with lots of green-leaved plants nearby.
Liabilities
Numerous insect pests and fungal diseases afflict purple plum trees, causing irregular branch dieback. Some are relatively short-lived, depending on their genetic lineage and pace of growth. As a general rule, smaller trees that grow quickly endure significantly shorter life spans than the slower-paced larger trees.
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References
- "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs"; Michael A. Dirr; 1997
- "Sunset Western Garden Book"; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.; 2007
Writer Bio
Jacob J. Wright became a full-time writer in 2008, with articles appearing on various websites. He has worked professionally at gardens in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware.
