Alphabetical Plant Listing

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' (Black Cherry Plum)

Black Cherry Plum, Prunus 'Blaze', Prunus 'Pissardii Nigra'


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

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

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theveca / 123RF Stock Photo / Andreas Rauh, anmbph, H-AB, simona pavan / Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Spread 15' – 20' (4.5m – 6m)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Flowering Trees

Guides with Prunus - Flowering Trees

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