It's versatile and can be trained into either a single stem small tree form, or used as a natural shrub with lower branches. Prunus × cistena, commonly called purple-leaf sand cherry, is an upright deciduous shrub that typically grows 6-10’ tall and 5-8’ wide. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Purple-leaf sand cherry grows best in a semi-dry, fertile soil transplanting easily, and tolerating a wide range of soil types and conditions. Asked March 28, 2017, 12:50 PM EDT. Prunus × cistena, the purple leaf sand cherry or dwarf red-leaf plum, is a hybrid species of prune-cherry, the result of a cross between Prunus cerasifera (cherry plum or myrobalan plum) and Prunus pumila (sand cherry). Prized for its masses of light pink flowers and deep purple foliage. Combine Purple Leaf Sand Cherry plants with. As long as they are planted in full sun in well-drained soil, they are not fussy about the composition or pH of the soil in which they grow. The tough hybrid doesn’t blink at droughts, hot summers, or cold winters. I once had to cut back a large sand cherry to within 8 inches of the ground because of a severe pest problem. Sharon Sweeny has a college degree in general studies and worked as an administrative and legal assistant for 20 years before becoming a professional writer in 2008. Coppicing can force new growth right from the blunt cuts. Plant Care: Prune regularly to promote health, provide air circulation, maintain a desirable shape, and to remove dead or damaged branches. Produces fragrant light pink to white flowers from late April to early May; Features an attractive reddish-purple leaf coloring that lasts through the summer If you are transplanting a newly purchased bare root sand cherry, begin by pruning out any roots that are broken, diseased or growing in a circular pattern using the pruning clippers. Additional Facts: Purple leaf sand cherry is a cross between Prunus pumila and Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'. How to Prune Shrubs and Bushes After Storm Damage, The Ohio State University: Prunus x Cistena, Washington State University Spokane County Extension: Pruning Deciduous Shrubs, University of Minnesota Extension Service: Pruning Trees and Shrubs, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service: Prunus x Cistena, University of Wisconsin-Extension: Pruning and Training Small Trees and Shrubs, How to Trim & Prune an Akebono Cherry Tree, Instructions for How to Prune Daphne Odora. Make the cut so that about 2 inches of the previous year's growth remains on the shrub. If you are planting a hedgerow of sand cherries, prune back each individual plant before planting, so it is about 6 inches high. Cut back branches on the shrub selectively to remove any overly-vigorous shoots that look out of place. It did come back … It also may be trained as a small tree. But because of the popularity of Purple Flowering Sandcherry you can actually cut the branches into 5” pieces and sell those pieces as unrooted cuttings and guess what? Allow this colourful hedging species to stand alone for maximum effect. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Minnesota Extension: Pruning Trees and Shrubs, University of Minnesota Extension: Shrubs. All Rights Reserved. 3. With occasional irrigation and pruning, you can expect year-round resiliency. For container-grown shrubs, omit this step. Purple leaf sand cherry is very susceptible to pests and diseases, so plan on a life span of approximately 10-15 years. But to leave it in the state that it was in, was too difficult to manage. Plum leaf sand cherry, also referred to as purple leaf sand cherry plants, is a medium sized ornamental shrub or small tree that when mature reaches a height of approximately 8 feet tall by 8 feet wide. Cut up to one-third of the oldest stems back to the base of the shrub following flowering each year. What Type Of Fertilizer Should Be Used For Purple Leaf Sand Cherry - My sandcherry shrub lost all of its leaves in July 2014. The branches of sand cherry shrubs that are left to grow naturally without pruning eventually fall over, leaving the bush with an open center and an undesirable shape. Destroy or dispose of any diseased or infested branches you remove away from the purpleleaf sand cherry and any other desirable vegetation to prevent the spread of pests or disease. While it is absolutely stunning in bloom, I think we've let it get too tall. Design Tips: Use Prunus x cistena as a specimen to provide splashes of purple in the garden. Q. Pruning Purple Leafed Sandcherry - We have just planted a purple leafed sandcherry and it has just finished blooming. The best solution is to remove the shrub and plant a new specimen. The resulting purple leaf shrub was introduced in 1910. The fruit are edible, if strong-tasting. Make the cut so that about 2 inches of the previous year's growth remains on the shrub. Tall branches can get heavy and arch. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! In this video you will see how I cut Purple Sand Cherry in the fall to make sure they grow nice and tight and don’t get thin and spindly. It is most noted for its reddish purple foliage that retains good color throughout the summer. A leggy bush or shrubby tree, it typically reaches a height of 1.5–2.5 meters and has a useful life of 10–20 years. Among purple-leafed shrubs, the Sand Cherry distinguishes itself by surviving nearly everywhere in the U.S. (Zones 3-8). Examine the branches and leaves of the sand cherry bush for signs of canker (fungus), insect borers (holes, wilting branches) and Japanese beetles (chewed, dead leaves). Full sun. The one suggestion I would make is that make sure you stay on top of pruning. Prune down by 30 cm, late spring, every few years, to maintain a fresh look. Prune back the previous year's growth. Use the pruning clippers on smaller branches and the pruning saw on larger branches. Here is a photo of it from last May. Prune off affected portions of the shrub, making a clean cut several inches below the damage or infection and just above a node or junction with a larger stem. See more ideas about Purple leaf sand cherry, Plants, Shrubs. Inspect the purpleleaf sand cherry regularly throughout the year for physical injury and symptoms of disease or pest activity, such as leaf spots or stem cankers. Because of this, the purpleleaf sand cherry makes an excellent contrast tree. You will also learn how to take all of those clippings and use them to make hardwood cuttings of Purple Sand Cherry. Cut back to healthy tissue, or all the way to the base of the bush if necessary. Purple-leaf Sand Cherry Growing and Maintenance Tips. Prune established sand cherry shrubs in early spring, before growth begins. The Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is a dense-growing shrub that reaches an impressive size for a shrub if allowed to grow naturally. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- How to Grow Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry. Care and pruning advice for Purple Leaf Sand Cherry hedges This is definitely a fast growing, medium-sized shrub that will make an excellent accent in your landscape. Examine the shrub for dead or dying canes -- thin, upright branches. Remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches by cutting them off as close to the base of the plant as possible. Pruning or Trimming Purple Sand Cherry and growing Sand Cherry from Cuttings. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. They sell like crazy to other growers and even homeowners if you explain to them how to root them. The situation called for heavy pruning anyway. Regular pruning is necessary to keep older branches from becoming arched and heavy, giving the shrub an open center. The purple leaf plum hedge is a small member of the plum family sometimes called the purple leaf sand cherry. I have had several Purple Leaf Sand Cherries in my yard - both in shade and sunny locations. Purple sand cherry (Prunus cistena) often grows thinly as you have experienced. To slow growth, it is best pruned in the early summer/late spring when the blooms fade. Hardy but short-lived shrubs that produce cherry-like “drupes” in fall, the purple-leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena) will generally require very little pruning, but it does require regular pruning to keep its shape. Purpleleaf Sand Cherry Prunus x cistena This is a very hardy flowering landscape specimen with reddish-purple foliage that keeps its unique color all summer. Solitary white flowers tinted with pink yield sparse amounts of reddish-purple fruits that are preferred by birds. Dip pruning tools into, wipe or spray them with rubbing alcohol or a solution containing 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water between uses or plants. Pruning Pruning group 1. Prune as needed after flowering. Pruning large Purple Leaf Sand Cherry like and older specimens of Sand Cherry may be minor or major. This is because this shrub flowers on last years’ growth and pruning before then would reduce flowering in … We have what we think is a purple sand cherry tree in front of the house. This shrub, cultivated across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 8, grows about 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. How To Prune a Purple-Leaf Sand Cherry 1. Moderate-growing shrub to 6 to 10 feet tall, 6 to 8 feet wide. It tolerates part shade, but for the best flowering and leaf colour plant in full sun. To promote growth, it should be pruning should be done in late winter. Thin out young shoots, or suckers, that are crowded where they are growing out of the base of the plant. Tip Even with yearly pruning and careful cultivation, purple-leaf sand cherries become more susceptible to pests and diseases after they reach the age of 10 years and and begin to decline in health and vigor. They did equally well in either location. Always remove unwanted portions of the shrub by making a clean cut one-quarter inch above a node or junction where the branch you are removing meets another branch. Grows well in well-drained soils. These are the ones that didn't … At full growth the purple leaf sand cherry will stand about 8 feet high and 6-8 feet wide at its top. You should prune your purpleleaf sand cherries just after they finish flowering. Purpleleaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena) is a deciduous shrub prized primarily for its bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in fall. Purple Leaf Sand Cherry hedging has an average growth rate of 20-40cm per year and it is ideal for hedging up to 2.5m. This will open up the center of the bush and encourage it to produce new, vigorous-growing branches. Leave the healthiest and most vigorous shoots that are growing in the desired direction. Deciduous. Cut up to one-third of the oldest stems back to the base of the shrub following flowering each year. Because of this, the purpleleaf sand cherry makes an excellent contrast tree. Clip away dead and diseased branches and foliage with short-handled pruning shears. Adding Purple Leaf Sandcherries to Your Property. Cut out one-fourth to one-third of the thickest, most mature branches, making the cut near the base of the bush. In areas where silver leaf is prevalent pruning may be done in mid-summer Pests May get caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and bullfinches Diseases May be affected by silver leaf … Good soil drainage is essential. Purpleleaf sand cherry plants are typically short-lived, falling prey to pests and diseases after about 10 to 15 years, but regular pruning can help maintain an attractive and dense form. The Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is a beautiful shrub with rich purple-red leaves. It can be planted close to paved surfaces and near utility lines and can also be used as a deciduous hedge. Mine grew EXCEPTIONALLY fast and once they get the better of you, pruning them back can be a disheartening experience. Even with yearly pruning and careful cultivation, purple-leaf sand cherries become more susceptible to pests and diseases after they reach the age of 10 years and and begin to decline in health and vigor. Rejuvenate a neglected or overgrown purple-leaf sand cherry by hard pruning all of its branches down to within 6 inches of the ground in late winter, before its initial spring growth spurt. Perhaps not the best time. I don't see many of them for that reason. May 22, 2014 - Explore Kim Thomas's board "Sand Cherry" on Pinterest. The Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a mainstay of gardens in cold areas, and with its rich foliage color it should be grown in warmer areas too. Make sure that your pruning shears and loppers are sharp and well-oiled to ensure that cuts are clean and made with minimal effort. This easy care plant makes a great addition to the landscape. Prune established sand cherry shrubs in early spring, before growth begins. Prune out any branches that are rubbing against another branch. Cutting grown. Prune just above an outward-facing bud, which will force the new branch to grow out from the center of the plant, creating a shrub with a center that is open enough to allow light and air to get to all of its branches. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. All of our plants have been carefully preserved by taking cuttings from accurately identified plants. Small black fruit follows flowers. Purpleleaf sand cherry is a shrub that requires regular pruning if it is not to become too leggy and overgrown. A few of the branches only ... Q. Angela Ryczkowski is a professional writer who has served as a greenhouse manager and certified wildland firefighter. Am I … However, you can easily prune it to stay within a desired size. Hardy but short-lived shrubs that produce cherry-like “drupes” in fall, the purple-leaf sand cherry (Prunus x cistena) will generally require very little pruning, but it does require regular pruning to keep its shape. This shrub-like, small tree is distinguished by its red or purple leaves in spring, summer, and fall and its fragrant white and pink flowers in spring. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in urban and regional studies. Dip pruning tools into, wipe or spray them with rubbing alcohol or a solution containing 10 percent bleach and 90... 2. A beautiful accent plant either as a multi-trunked shrub or single trunked specimen tree. Growth rate of Prunus × cistena hedge plants. The branches of sand cherry shrubs that are left to grow naturally without pruning eventually fall over, leaving the bush with an open center and an undesirable shape. Use the pruning clippers or the pruning saw on larger branches if they are too big to cut with the pruning clippers. She specializes in writing about home improvement, self-sufficient lifestyles and gardening. The delicate flowers are pink, borne after the leaves have developed in late April-early May. If you are making cuts to remove potentially diseased parts of the shrub, disinfect the tool after each cut to prevent disease spread. Rejuvenate a neglected or overgrown purple-leaf sand cherry by hard pruning all of its branches down to within 6 inches of the ground in late winter, before its initial spring growth spurt. Prunus x cistena (Purple-leaf or purple sand cherry) is best grown in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Pruning Sand Cherry Tree. 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Have been carefully preserved by taking cuttings from accurately identified plants ideas about purple leaf Cherry.