How do you care for a thundercloud plum tree?
The Thundercloud Plum will perform best if you plant it in well-drained soil that is mildly acidic. Be sure to plant it in full sun. It will thrive in the shade, but won’t produce the deep purple colors. Plant in a hole twice as wide and a little deeper than the root ball.
How do you take care of a purple leaf plum tree?
Purpleleaf PlumPrunus cerasifera The Purpleleaf Plum should be grown in full sun on well-drained, acid soil to bring out the richest leaf color. It tolerates slightly alkaline soil. Tolerant of moderate heat and drought, it often succumbs to borers on poor, compacted soil.
Are thundercloud plum trees messy?
Thundercloud is a fast growing tree that has considerable drought tolerance once established. This variety does produce a lot of little plums (edible, so you don’t have to worry about the kids eating them), and you may not want to place this tree near sidewalks, as the plums can be rather messy when they fall.
How fast do thundercloud plum trees grow?
about 1-2′ feet per year
The leaves range in color from pure purple, with some displaying a green ting. This tree has a moderate growth rate and gains about 1-2′ feet per year. It’s best planted in the early spring and autumn.
Are thundercloud plum trees self pollinating?
A thundercloud plum tree doesn’t classify as a self-pollinating plant. Therefore, if you have only one, it won’t pollinate on its own. Instead, it requires cross-pollination, meaning that pollen from one plant will blow through the air or be carried by an animal to the other tree.
When should I fertilize my thundercloud plum?
Fertilize Regularly During the plum’s first year, fertilize in early spring with 1 cup of a 10-10-10 fertilizer spread evenly in a circle with a diameter of about 3 feet. Fertilize again with 1/2 cup of ammonium nitrate or calcium nitrate in a circle about 2 feet in diameter.
How big does a thundercloud plum tree get?
15-25′ tall
‘Thundercloud’ is purple-leaved cultivar that typically grows as a dense, upright-spreading tree to 15-25′ tall. It has become a very popular ornamental landscape tree in large part because its showy purple foliage retains excellent color throughout the growing season.
Do thundercloud plum trees produce fruit?
A Flurry of Flowers and Vibrant Foliage Thundercloud Plum doesn’t bear typical plum fruits; in fact, it’s classified as an “ornamental” plum tree. It’s also known as purple-leaf plum because of its foliage color and cherry plum because of the red cherry-sized fruits that appear on many trees.
Do purple leaf plum trees grow fast?
The purple leaf plum tree (Prunus cerasifera), also known as the cherry plum, is popular in landscaping due to its ornamental nature. This tree has a moderate growth rate and gains about 1 to 2 feet per year. It’s best planted in the early spring or fall.
How much water does a purple leaf plum tree need?
Most purple leaf plums grow to cover a 20 by 20 foot area. This translates to a fully grown plum requiring more than 50 gallons of water on a 100 F, windy summer day or as little as 18 to 20 gallons in the cool of the early spring or fall.
How tall do thundercloud plum trees get?
15 to 30 feet tall
The tree itself tends to grow 15 to 30 feet tall and spread out, often having a round appearance. The thundercloud plum tree will bloom in spring.
How do you grow a thundercloud plum tree?
Use Well-Draining Soil Plant ‘Thundercloud’ in a well-draining soil. In poor, compact soil, ‘Thundercloud’ is more likely to attract boring insects. Poorly draining soil also increases the risk of fungal diseases such as rot. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged or flooded.
Why do plum trees have purple leaves?
In a plum tree, there is either a lack of chlorophyll (The pigment that gives most leaves their green color), or there is an over abundance of anthocyanins. I’d bet it’s the latter. The “purpose” of this purple color is another matter. The vast majority of things in nature do in fact have a specific purpose.
What does a thundercloud plum tree look like?
The Purple Thundercloud plum tree is a cultivar of Prunus cerasifera. Desirable for its deep purple foliage, the tree flowers in the spring with small pink blooms, reaching a maximum height of about 20 feet, with a canopy of equal size.
Is purple leaf plum edible?
Purple leaf plum is one of the first trees to flower in the spring with the blossoms appearing even before the leaves are fully formed. Although the fruits are small at only 1.25 inches, they are edible. These little gems can be yellow, purple, or red, depending on the cultivar.
What is a purple pony plum tree?
Prunus cerasifera ( Purple Pony Cherry Plum ) ‘Purple Pony’ is a dwarf cultivar, reaching only 10 to 12 feet in height. The deep purple foliage holds its color the entire season. The flowers are single, pale pink, it produes no fruit. This is a rounded, deciduous tree with ovate to obovate leaves.