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Rounded
Medium to Fast
Prunus x cistena
7' - 10'
5' - 7'
3' - 4'
This is a very hardy flowering landscape specimen with reddish-purple foliage that keeps its unique color all summer. Because of this, the purpleleaf sand cherry makes an excellent contrast tree. It can be planted close to paved surfaces and near utility lines and can also be used as a deciduous hedge.
While there will never be a large cherry crop, the fruit is commonly used for making jams, jellies, and pie.
Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade
Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Moist, Sandy, Well Drained
This tree is an important source of food for many small birds and mammals including robins, cardinals and coyotes. Birds nest in its branches.
A cross between Prunus pumila and Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea' developed by Dr. N. E. Hanson of South Dakota State University in 1910. The parents of this hybrid are native to Western Asia and Caucasia (P. cerasifera) and the northeastern United States (P. pumila). Prunus is the Latin name for plum, and cistena comes from the Sioux word for baby.