Deciduous Trees – Purple Leaf Plum Tree

Botanical name: prunus cerasifera

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: about 20-30 ft tall

Bloom time: spring

Hardy zone: zones 5-9

Flower color: white/pink

Foliage color: green/red/yellow/purple

Growth rate: about 2 ft per year

Pruning instructions: prune to contain shape/size in the early winter

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: popular flowering focal point

Light needs: about 6 hours of sun a day

Special features: colorful foliage

Watering instructions: water with sprinkler heads for 10-20 minutes a day

Fertilizing instructions : slow release fertilizer in the early spring

Best time to plant: spring or fall

Best type of soil: adapts to all kinds of soil

Companion plants: lilacs, rosemary, sage

Toxicity level: toxic for humans and pets if ingested

Invasive species: no