Purple Leaf Sand Cherry 1 Live Shrub, 3 Gallon Pot, 18 Inches – Prunus × cistena

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus × cistena), also known as Dwarf Red-Leaf Plum, is a deciduous ornamental shrub admired for its rich reddish-purple foliage and delicate, fragrant white spring flowers. Its distinctive leaf color provides a striking contrast against green landscape plants, making it suitable for specimen plantings, mixed shrub borders, foundation gardens, and ornamental hedges.

In April through early May, depending on local climate, Purple Leaf Sand Cherry produces small, single white flowers with a pleasant fragrance. The blossoms appear alongside emerging foliage and may attract bees and other early-season pollinators. Its reddish-purple leaves remain the primary ornamental feature throughout the growing season, particularly when the plant receives abundant sunlight. Small, dark purple to nearly black fruits may develop following flowering.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry grows best in full sun and prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture. It develops an upright, bushy, spreading habit and can be grown as a landscape accent, informal hedge, or colorful backdrop for perennial flowers. As a deciduous shrub, it naturally loses its leaves and enters dormancy during winter.

Each order includes 1 live Purple Leaf Sand Cherry supplied in a 3-gallon nursery container (G3).

Approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.

Shipping Size

• Quantity: 1 Live Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Plant

• Container Size: 3 Gallon Nursery Pot (G3)

• Shipping Height: Approx. 18 Inches

• Plant Form: Rooted, Container-Grown Ornamental Shrub

• Flower Color: White

• Flower Form: Small, Single, Fragrant Blossoms

• Flowering Period: April Through Early May, Depending on Climate

• Foliage Color: Reddish Purple

• Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy, Spreading

• Seasonal Appearance: Deciduous; May Be Leafless During Winter

Plant Condition Disclosure:

Live plants may be shipped dormant, leafless, recently pruned, bare root, or partially defoliated depending on season, weather, and shipping requirements.

Natural variation in size, branching, foliage density, color, root structure, and overall appearance should be expected.

Important Note:

You will receive a live starter plant (seedling/young plant). Listing photos show the plant at a mature stage for reference only. The actual plant size, shape, and appearance may vary and will be significantly smaller than the images shown.

• Quantity: 1 Live Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Plant

• Container Size: 3 Gallon Nursery Pot (G3)

• Shipping Height: Approx. 18 Inches

• Common Name: Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

• Alternative Name: Dwarf Red-Leaf Plum

• Scientific Name: Prunus × cistena

• Plant Type: Deciduous Ornamental Flowering Shrub

• Life Cycle: Perennial

• Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy, Spreading

• Flower Color: White

• Flower Form: Small, Single Blossoms

• Flower Fragrance: Fragrant

• Bloom Season: April Through Early May, Depending on Climate

• Foliage Color: Reddish Purple

• Fruit Color: Dark Purple to Nearly Black When Present

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Generally 3–7

• Sunlight: Full Sun; Tolerates Light Partial Shade

• Soil Preference: Well-Drained Soil

• Water Requirements: Moderate; Regular During Establishment

• Pollinator Interest: Spring Flowers May Attract Bees

• Landscape Uses: Specimen Plantings, Mixed Shrub Borders, Foundation Gardens, Ornamental Hedges, and Foliage Contrast

• Ornamental Interest: Reddish-Purple Leaves and Fragrant White Spring Flowers

• Container Suitable: Yes, With Adequate Space and Drainage

• Outdoor Plant: Yes

• Seasonal Dormancy: Deciduous; May Be Leafless During Winter

Live Purple Leaf Sand Cherry (Prunus × cistena), natural root system, nursery growing medium, 3-gallon nursery container.

Supplied Size: 1 live shrub, 3-gallon nursery pot, approx. 18 inches tall at time of shipping.