Photo gallery
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A mature specimen of Prunus cerasifera Nigra in a suburban environment -
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Medium sized Prunus cerasifera Nigra 2024 -
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Medium sized Prunus cerasifera Nigra 2024 -
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The blossom of Purple Leaf Plum in detail -
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The crown of Prunus cerasifera Nigra in detail -
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A pretty pale pink flower of Prunus cerasifera Nigra in early March -
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Purple Leaved Plum, Cherry Plum
Prunus cerasifera NigraOut of stock
Our new stock is growing! New stock will be available 1st September 2025.About this product
Prunus cerasifera Nigra, also known as Purple Leaf Plum, is a dark-leave form of Cherry Plum, which was popularly planted as a street tree in post-war Britain.
This single-stemmed tree has pretty single pink flowers that appear early in the spring and remain on the tree while the dark foliage begins to emerge. The flowers gradually fade to white and contrast fantastically with the dark leaves. The leaves are small and very dark purple, and unlike many purple-leaved trees, they remain dark throughout the entire season until turning a brighter red in the autumn before falling.
Technically, this is a fruiting variety, and as such, it has been known to produce small juicy red plums for some years, although Prunus cerasifera Nigra is not a species to be relied upon to actually fruit. It also has distinctively dark brown bark and stems, which look fabulous against the dark foliage.
Prunus cerasifera Nigra is a small to medium-sized tree which develops a rounded crown at maturity. This tree was introduced in the early 1900s and has established itself as a great favourite for urban planting.
It is an extremely tough tree and will tolerate most soil conditions, thriving particularly in well-draining soils. Unlike many Prunus, this dark beauty will tolerate severe pruning, making it easy to maintain in smaller gardens.
Purple Leaf Plum is a great addition to any garden planting. Its bright flowers strikingly contrast with its stunning dark foliage.
This tree is early to flower, meaning it will be in flower or foliage while the ground is adorned with frost. It is a breathtaking sight to behold.
We also offer a multi-stemmed Prunus cerasifera Nigra, which adds a sense of density to planting schemes.
Mature height: 7-12m
Specifications
- Common names
- Purple Leaved Plum, Cherry Plum
- Height of tree
- 7-12m
- Soil type
- Well drained, Will tolerate most soil types
- Shape
- Rounded
- Blossom Colour
- Pink
- Foliage Colour
- Red/Purple
- Information Flags
- Good for bees
- Looks good in
- Summer, Spring
- Location
- Garden, Parkland, Avenue
- Genus
- Prunus