Prunus × cistena

RHS Plant Profile
purple-leaf sand cherry

Synonyms

Prunus cerasifera 'Crimson Dwarf'
Prunus × cistena 'Crimson Dwarf'
Prunus × cistena 'Purpurea'
Prunus 'Crimson Dwarf'

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

An upright, bushy, medium-sized deciduous shrub with small, pinkish-white flowers. Leaves red-purple, deepening in the summer and brighter in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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