Purple leaf sand cherry is a hybrid of Prunus cerasifera (purple leaf plum), a species from Asia, and and Prunus pumila (sand cherry), a species from North America. You can expect the purple leaf sand cherry to bloom each spring after the foliage emerges. The light pink and white flowers are soon replaced by black or purple fruits come midsummer. Though unremarkable to humans, the fruits are an important source of food for many birds, including robins and cardinals, as well as the occasional coyote. Unfortunately, purple leaf sand cherry is very susceptible to pests and diseases, which can shorten its overall lifespan.
Light
Purple leaf sand cherry should be grown in full to partial sun. If it receives too much shade, the leaves will change to a bronze-green color too early on in the season (it normally happens in the fall). Additionally, the more sun the plant receives, the more lush its blooms will be.
Soil
Though adaptable to many different mixtures of soil, the purple leaf sand cherry thrives best in a moist but well-draining soil composition. The level of pH isn’t important to the plant, but the drainage is, as its roots live close to the surface and are susceptible to rot.
Water
The purple leaf sand cherry needs to be watered regularly and is not drought tolerant. Typically, one watering per week will suffice, but more may be necessary if you’ve recently transplanted it, are going through a period of hot, dry weather, or the plant is in its first season of growth.
Temperature and Humidity
You won’t really need to worry when it comes to maintaining the right temperature for your purple leaf sand cherry. The plant is pretty much all-weather hardy, able to withstand a wide variety of temperatures through both summer and winter, though plants grown in consistently colder weather may be smaller and produce fewer blooms. Additionally, it has no special humidity needs.
Fertilizer
Like any plant, the purple leaf sand cherry can benefit from the added nutrients fertilizer provides, but it is by no means necessary if you have the proper soil conditions. Still, you can fertilizer the plan every spring using a general, all-purpose mixture. For the amount to use, follow the product label instructions.
Other Types of Ornamental Cherries
Purple leaf sand cherry is not the only ornamental cherry you can plant in your landscape. Others include:
Japanese flowering cherry, a small, tidy tree that does not produce any fruit Weeping cherry, a cascading tree that grows 15 to 25 ft. tall Higan cherry, a long-lived easy-care ornamental cherry tree Yoshino cherry, an early bloomer whose fragrant flowers are almond-scented
Pruning Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Pruning should be done as needed after the flowers come in spring in order to maintain a tighter oval shape. Begin by trimming the oldest stems first, removing about a third of the existing growth, and leaving a few inches of the trunk exposed at the base. Always remove any branches or twigs that are damaged or dead. If desired, tighter pruning can be done to evoke the feel of an ornamental hedge.
Propagating Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Propagating a hybrid plant like purple leaf sand cherry from seed can be very disappointing because it won’t produce a plant that is identical to the parent. Instead, it is easy to propagate it from the suckers growing at its base. Early summer is a good time to do this, as the plant will have sent up a bunch of suckers, and there is enough time left in the growing season for the new plant to establish roots.
Potting and Repotting
Because of its shallow, spreading root system in combination with its size, purple leaf cherry is not a good shrub for container growing. It should be planted in the landscape.
Overwintering
The shrub is hardy to USDA zone 2 and does not need any winter protection.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Purple leaf sand cherry is especially susceptible to pests, including Japanese beetles which can do significant damage to its foliage. Other pests include the peach tree borer, scale, spider mites, aphids, leafhoppers, and tent caterpillars. Keep an eye out for telltale signs of pests, like lacy or hole-ridden leaves and the browning or withering of foliage. The shrub is also at risk for several diseases, including honey fungus, leaf curl, cankers, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and bacterial leaf scorch. Both issues with pests and diseases can cause the plant to experience an abbreviated lifespan of just 10 years or less.
How to Get Purple Leaf Sand Cherry to Bloom
If it does not get enough sunlight, the shrub will not bloom as lush as it should, so make sure to pick a location in full sun.
Common Problems with Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
The stems of the purple leaf sand cherry tend to peel and ooze sap, a trait that is particularly noticeable if the plant develops fissures or cankers. Additionally, its branches are prone to frost cracks. Because of these issues, as well as its susceptibility to pests and diseases, the shrub often has a lifespan of only 10 years, or even less.
