Modern gardens have evolved into vibrant spectacles, offering a wide array of colored foliage that provides months of captivating beauty. While many of these plants are new varieties, one old favorite still reigns supreme for its enduring appeal and adaptability – the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry. With its attractive appearance, resilience, and versatility, this plant has remained a beloved choice among gardeners for generations.
Key Takeaways
Growing the Purple Leaf Sandcherry
The Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a versatile shrub that can also be pruned into a stunning small tree. Its oval-shaped leaves, featuring a soft, serrated edge, boast a striking reddish-purple hue. This captivating color emerges in spring and remains vibrant throughout the summer, often transitioning to a brighter red in the fall. Unlike other foliage plants that lose their color in summer, the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry maintains its captivating hue, standing out amidst the sea of green. Additionally, clusters of delicate white flowers with a blush of pink adorn the plant in spring, creating a charming contrast against the backdrop of newly-emerging leaves.
But that’s not all! This remarkable plant thrives even in the harshest winter conditions, enduring bone-chilling temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees. Whether you reside in frigid regions or milder climates, you can enjoy the beauty of this plant effortlessly. With minimal effort, the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry will brighten your garden from spring to fall, adding a touch of elegance to any landscape.
Size and Appearance
The Purple Leaf Sand Cherry typically reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet and can spread up to 8 feet wide. In extremely cold areas, it may not reach its full size but will still grow to around 6 feet tall. Its natural form is an open, upright shrub adorned with attractive stems and chestnut-brown peeling bark. Pruning allows for a denser, bushier shape, or it can be trained into a small tree with one or two stems.
Enhancing Your Property with Purple Leaf Sandcherries
Whether planted against a light-colored wall, nestled among other shrubs for a vibrant color contrast, or lined up to create a boundary marker, the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry adds a cheerful and captivating touch to any property. Its versatility allows it to adapt to various gardening styles and spaces, making it a favorite among both novices and seasoned gardeners.
Ideal Planting Locations
To maximize the leaf color and ensure sturdy growth, select a sunny location for your Purple Leaf Sand Cherry. It can tolerate partial shade, but its color intensity may diminish. This resilient plant thrives in well-drained soil and even tolerates urban conditions with ease, making it an excellent choice for smaller urban gardens.
The History and Origins of the Purple Leaf Sandcherry
The Purple Leaf Sand Cherry has a storied past, with a history that spans over 100 years. Developed by the renowned horticulturist and plant-breeder, Dr. Niels Ebbesen Hansen at South Dakota State University, this plant is a testament to his expertise. By crossing the low-growing native American sand cherry (Prunus pumila) with a purple leaf form of the European Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’), Dr. Hansen created this remarkable purple leaf shrub. Introduced in 1910, it has since become an enduring favorite in gardens across the country.
Adding Purple Leaf Sandcherries to Your Property
If you’re captivated by the allure of the Purple Leaf Sand Cherry, don’t miss the opportunity to enhance your garden with this remarkable plant. Here at Ames Farm Center, we take pride in offering carefully preserved plants, propagated from accurately identified specimens. Unlike cheap seedling plants, our Purple Leaf Sand Cherries exhibit the unique characteristics in color, size, and hardiness that make them a beloved choice among knowledgeable gardeners. While our stocks are limited, we encourage you to order now and experience the enduring charm of this delightful plant. Browse our full range of Cherry Laurels for more varieties and colors that will complement your landscape beautifully.
