Prunus x blireana – Flowering Plum, Purple Leaf Plum
- Mature size: 4-5m tall x 3-4m wide
- Recommended spacing: 3-4m apart
- Ideal growing conditions: Full Sun - Part shade in fertile, well-drained soil.
- Growth rate: Moderate.
Uses
Feature tree, ornamental garden, courtyards, Japanese Gardens, street tree, avenue planting, lining driveways, urban parks, home gardens, mass plantings, cottage gardens.
Noteworthy
Deciduous (drops leaves), stunning mildly fragrant spring flowers, attractive new bronze-purple foliage, ornamental fruit, attracts bees and other pollinators.
Tolerant
Frost, short droughts once established, pruning and urban conditions.
Colour/Growth form
Small deciduous tree with an upright, vase-like canopy that becomes more rounded with age. Foliage emerges in bronze-purple, ageing to purplish-green through the warmer months. Double rose-pink flowers appear along the bare branches in early spring.
What is Flowering Plum?
Prunus x blireana, commonly known as Flowering Plum or Purple Leaf Plum, is a small ornamental deciduous tree grown for its spring blossom and colourful foliage. It produces a profuse display of mildly fragrant double pink flowers before the foliage emerges, creating a striking seasonal feature. Its purple-toned leaves and compact canopy make it a popular choice for feature planting, avenues, street trees and ornamental gardens.
How to care for Flowering Plum
Plant in a sunny to partly shaded position in fertile, well-drained soil. Flowering is best in full sun. Water regularly while the plant is establishing, especially during dry periods. After flowering, prune to thin the centre and remove old or unproductive wood. Pruning when young can help encourage a strong single trunk.
