Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Purple Leaved Flowering Plum

Flowering Plum, Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is an upright deciduous tree eventually making a ball shaped specimen. It has a rounded to pyramidal habit and dark-red leaves when young in spring and a very attractive deep purple foliage later which is retained throughout the summer.

Masses of bowl-shaped bright pink flowers contrast dramatically on its bare purple branches in early to mid-spring and are occasionally followed by plum-like red or yellow fruits. These fruits are the same size as ordinary plums are edible, sweet and juicy and can be used to produce canned fruit. A superb small tree that will suit any garden. When more plants are planted 45-60cm apart it can form a dense deciduous hedge 120-180cm high which should be trimmed after flowering. When left unpruned this tree can grow to 6m x 6m in 20 years and later reach its ultimate height of 8m. Can be used as low tree, larger specimen shrub or in loose hedges requiring little pruning. To prune it hard into older wood is not advisable as it leads to creation of unpretty brooms. Grows in sun and shade as well, on all not too acid garden soils and prefers humous, slightly dry to moist loamy soils. It is very frost resistant, copes well with dry weather, city climate, wind and moisture.