Prunus cerasifera

A small tree with a canopy shape between round and oval. Its uniqueness is in its leaves’ color: dark purple, like the color of wine. Its fruit is a small, round red plum, which can be eaten, but it is sour. Toward the end of winter, it flowers pink for a short time. It is a deciduous tree that thrives in all weather conditions that can be found in the country. In terms of pests, it’s important to be vigilant and treat, as it is a favorite of aphids, a beetle (Capnodis tenebrionis), and fossorial animals that gnaw at its roots. It is suitable for almost all types of soil, but less so for saline and chalky soils, where it tends to suffer from chlorosis. Prunus cerasifera is sensitive to how much it is watered. Underwatering in the summer will damage its fresh appearance, and even shorten the tree’s lifespan. On the other hand, overwatering makes its wood soft and vulnerable to gnawing by pests.

Due to its dimensions, this plum tree can fit well into gardens of any size, even small ones. It is handsome as a solitary tree or in groups, and it can be used for short boulevards in urban spaces.

Other Rosaceae: Pyrus calleryana | Pyrus calleryana ‘Aristocrat’ | Amygdalus communis | Prunus serasifera | Prunus campanulata