Prunus cistena – A Vibrant Purple-Leaved Cherry with Fragrant Spring Flowers
Prunus cistena, commonly known as the Purpleleaf Sand Cherry, is an ornamental tree valued for its striking purple foliage, fragrant pink blossoms, and compact growth habit. This versatile small tree brings rich colour and texture to any landscape, making it ideal for gardens, borders, or as a specimen tree. Known for its year-round visual interest, Prunus cistena is perfect for those looking to add a pop of colour and fragrance to smaller spaces or urban settings.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: In early spring, Prunus cistena awakens with an abundance of small, five-petaled pink flowers that bloom profusely along its branches. These delicate flowers create a lovely contrast against the dark purple foliage, filling the air with a subtle fragrance that attracts bees and other pollinators.
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Summer: As the tree matures, the purple leaves take on a rich, deep hue that remains vibrant throughout the summer months. The dark foliage provides excellent contrast against lighter green plants and flowers, making it a standout feature in any garden.
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Autumn: In autumn, the purple leaves of Prunus cistena transition to beautiful shades of red, adding a fiery finish to the growing season. The tree’s vibrant foliage creates a dramatic focal point as the colours change, enhancing the landscape’s autumnal beauty.
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Winter: While dormant in winter, the tree’s intricate branching structure and dark bark create an interesting silhouette against snowy or frosty backgrounds, maintaining its visual appeal even in the colder months.
Structure & Form
Prunus cistena is a small deciduous tree or large shrub, its compact growth habit allows it to fit easily into tight spaces, yet its bold purple foliage provides significant visual impact.
Ideal for Various Landscapes
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Small Gardens & Urban Spaces: Due to its compact size, Prunus cistena is perfect for smaller gardens, patios, or urban environments where space is limited. It can be used as a focal point or planted along borders for added colour and texture.
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Specimen Tree: The striking purple foliage and delicate spring flowers make Prunus cistena an excellent specimen tree that can stand out in smaller landscapes.
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Pollinator Gardens: The fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a wonderful choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
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Mixed Borders & Hedgerows: Prunus cistena blends beautifully in mixed borders and informal hedgerows, adding both colour and structure to the landscape.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Thrives in full sun to partial shade. For the best colour and flowering, plant in a sunny location, though it can tolerate some light shade.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil but can tolerate a range of soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay soils.
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Hardiness: Fully hardy, Prunus cistena is well-suited to temperate climates and can withstand cold temperatures, making it an ideal choice for a variety of regions.
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Maintenance: Low-maintenance; prune lightly to remove dead or damaged wood and maintain shape. The tree is generally pest-resistant, although it may require occasional care to prevent diseases such as leaf spot or rust. Regular watering during dry periods will help the tree establish and thrive.
Why Choose Prunus cistena?
Prunus cistena is an attractive and compact ornamental tree that brings year-round beauty and interest to the garden. Its deep purple foliage, fragrant spring flowers, and vibrant autumn colour make it a standout addition to any landscape. With minimal care requirements and a striking presence, it’s a perfect choice for adding colour, texture, and seasonal interest to smaller gardens, urban spaces, or mixed planting schemes.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Other Ornamental Trees – Pair with Malus (Crabapple) or Prunus (Flowering Cherry) for a complementary mix of flower colours and forms.
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Flowering Shrubs – Combine with Forsythia or Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose) for a variety of spring blooms and foliage textures.
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Perennials & Grasses – Underplant with Hostas, Lavender, or Salvia for contrasting textures and colour palettes.
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Spring Bulbs – Complement with Crocus, Daffodils (Narcissus), or Tulips for an early-season display of colour that pairs beautifully with the tree's spring blossoms.
Prunus cistena is an eye-catching and versatile tree that adds elegance and vibrant colour to the garden. Whether used as a specimen tree or part of a larger landscape design, its purple foliage and fragrant flowers make it an ideal choice for smaller spaces, urban gardens, or pollinator-friendly landscapes. With its easy-care nature and year-round appeal, Prunus cistena will provide lasting beauty for many years to come
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
