Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ (Black Cherry Plum)

Adding drama to the garden, Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ (Black 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 bronze in spring, they turn almost black in the summer before turning orange and red in fall. Opening from deep pink buds in early to mid-spring, masses of bowl-shaped, single, pale pink flowers smother the bare branches and create a terrific floral display. They occasionally give way to red or yellow plums. A beautiful flowering tree with 3 seasons of interest that fits small gardens and provides a wonderfully contrasting foliage foil for other plants. Very easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of conditions.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• 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 single specimen plants, hedges, or screens.
• Susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf-mining moths, bullfinches, silver leaf, bacterial canker, and blossom wilt.
• Prune in midsummer if silver leaf is an issue
• Propagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful