With its deep reddish foliage and vibrant blossoms, the Cherry Plum (also known as the Purple-Leaf Plum) is a total showstopper in gardens and parks alike. A proud member of the rose family, this ornamental beauty comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Whether you’re looking for a stately tree or a colorful hedge, the Cherry Plum is a fantastic way to add a pop of color to your landscape.
Plenty of Options at Your Local Nursery
When you head to the garden center, you’ll find everything from bushy shrubs to half-standards and full standard trees. While these trees can tower up to 50 feet in the wild, they usually stay much more manageable in a backyard setting.
In a typical home garden or city park, you can expect the shrubs to reach about 13 feet. However, if you plant one as a standalone focal point in the perfect spot, it can climb up to 25 feet. Because they’re so low-maintenance, they work beautifully whether you plant them as a single specimen or as a privacy hedge.
If you’re working with a smaller yard, don’t worry! There are special slow-growing dwarf varieties that offer that same lush flowering and glossy foliage without taking over the whole space.
On the flip side, if you’ve got room to roam, the larger varieties are a joy to watch grow into magnificent, stately trees. They really shine when given center stage as a landscape highlight.
A Steady, Moderate Growth Rate
You’ll have a few different varieties to choose from depending on your goals. Most smaller saplings start out at about 30 inches tall at the nursery, while larger specimens are usually sold once they hit the 5-foot mark.
Generally speaking, Cherry Plums are pretty patient growers. On average, you can expect them to put on about 12 inches of new growth per year.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
- Larger Varieties
Popular types like the ‘Nigra’ grow between 8 and 14 inches annually. They typically reach a spread of 10 to 16 feet and a height of 16 to 26 feet.
- Dwarf Varieties
Smaller picks like the ‘Hollywood’ variety actually grow a bit faster—about 12 to 20 inches a year—but they cap out sooner. They usually reach 10 to 16 feet in height and 6 to 13 feet in width.
The Secret to Healthy Growth
To make sure your tree thrives and produces plenty of delicious fruit, you’ve got to pick the right spot. These trees love full sun to partial shade. They also prefer soil that stays consistently moist, though you’ll want to make sure the area drains well—nobody likes “wet feet” or standing water!
To keep your ornamental tree looking its best, a little strategic pruning goes a long way. The best time to grab your shears and shape things up is right after the blooming season ends.
