PurpleLeaf Sand Cherry

Description

Is the PurpleLeaf Sand Cherry right for you?

Here’s what your new plant will need and what you should look out for:

Mature size – I can grow to be 7 – 10 feet tall and 5 – 7 feet wide.  I am a pretty fast grower, averaging up to 24″ per year!

Light requirements – I like sun!  Partial sun is okay, but I need at least 6 hours of bright unfiltered light each day.

Water requirements – I do not like to dry out so I am not drought-tolerant.  Keep me well-hydrated once weekly to keep me happy and healthy.

Food requirements – Use a balanced fertilizer (i.e. 10-10-10) once in the Spring for optimal growth.

Soil requirements – I’m pretty hardy in most types of soil, but I do like well-draining to avoid moisture-related diseases I’m susceptible to

Pruning needs – When young, it has a more oval shape while growing upright.  As it matures, this plant begins to spread out in width.  Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring. Remove dead branches or rubbing branches. This plant blooms on old wood so be sure to keep older branches and their shoots to maintain shape.  You can however safely remove up to 1/3 of the overall size.  In our experience, these guys are pretty forgiving of an intense haircut during their dormant months, about a month before they begin waking up in spring.

Attracts wildlife – The small fruit this plant produces is well-loved by many birds, especially robins, and cardinals.

Edible fruit – As mentioned, the Purpleleaf sand cherry does produce small edible cherry-like fruit. They are fairly bitter in flavor but they have been used in jams or preserves.  Eating their pit is not advisable.

Life span – They can live up to 10 – 20 years.  However, it may require some extra care to help them last.  Unfortunately, these plants are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, such as:

• Japenese beetles
• Aphids
• Mealybugs
• Scale
• Powdery mildew
• Leaf spot
• Trunk cankers and borers
• Tent caterpillars

We recommend treating them with neem oil when needed to act as both a fungicide and insecticide.  This will help prevent infestations or diseases that shorten the life of your new plant. Despite what it sounds like, these plants do well and are considered hardy.  In our opinion, prevention is the key to their good health.

Treating these consistently with a copper-based fungicide in early spring (we use this one from Captain Jack) can help many disease issues from ever starting. 

Planting tips

• If allowed to grow as a small tree, the spread will be 5 to 7′ wide.  It’s important to give them space so they can breathe.  This helps prevent funguses and other troubles. It is not recommended to plant these under other overhanging trees or shrubs.
• It’s also important that the spot chosen for this beauty gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.  Without it, the leaves will be an off color and it could leave this plant open to disease.
• Well-draining but evenly moist soil is important.  Root rot can be an issue if the soil stays soaking wet and doesn’t drain properly.

In colder zones, if the ground is frozen, it’s best to pot these up and keep them in a cool basement, garage, or other unheated space that will stay above freezing but help keep the plant dormant. Water 2-3 times per week the first week. Keep consistently moist after. Gradually “harden off” outdoors and plant once the ground is no longer frozen in the spring. Mulching helps insulate the roots and retain moisture as well.

If you live in a warmer zone where the ground is not frozen, you can go ahead and plant these now while dormant so they can get established. A couple inches of mulch is needed here as well. If the ground is frozen, treat it as you would in the colder zones by potting it up and waiting until early spring.

If you have any questions, I’m here to help the best I can! As a small family nursery, my goal is to offer the “personal touch” to show you that we care about your business. Customer service, and your support, sincerely matter to us. Thanks for looking!

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