Prunus × cistena
purple-leaf sand cherry
An upright, bushy, medium-sized deciduous shrub with small, pinkish-white flowers. Leaves red-purple, deepening in the summer and brighter in autumn
Synonyms
Prunus cerasifera 'Crimson Dwarf'Prunus × cistena 'Crimson Dwarf'
see morePrunus × cistena 'Purpurea'
Prunus 'Crimson Dwarf'
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Purple Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | |||
| Autumn | Purple Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in any moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade. Superb hedging shrub
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1. In areas where silver leaf is prevalent pruning may be done in mid-summer
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars, leaf-mining moths and bullfinches
Diseases
May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.