Prunus cerasifera ‘Newport’ (Cherry Plum)

A very popular ornamental landscape tree, Prunus cerasifera ‘Newport’ (Cherry Plum) is a medium-sized, round-headed deciduous tree with a striking presence in the landscape, whether in bloom or not. This plum tree boasts some of the darkest purple leaves and twigs. Emerging light bronze-purple in spring, the serrate, elliptic leaves turn dark reddish-purple in the summer before turning attractive red shades in the fall. Opening from deep pink buds in mid-spring, masses of sweetly fragrant, single, white to pale pink flowers smother the bare branches and create a terrific floral display. The blossoms give way to small purple and edible fruits that attract birds and other wildlife.

• Grows upright with a rounded to pyramidal habit, up to 15-20 ft. tall and wide (4-6 m).
• Performs best in full sun or part shade in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soils. The best color is obtained in full sun.
• Perfect choice as a single specimen plant or for hedges or screens.
• Susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt.
• Prune after flowering to keep the tree vigorous.
• Propagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful.