Sandcherry, Purple Leaf

Prunus x cistena

An upright deciduous shrub that typically grows 6-10’ tall and 5-8’ wide.
It also may be trained as a small tree.
It is most noted for its reddish purple foliage that retains good color throughout the summer.
This is a hybrid shrub (P. pumila × P. cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’) that was introduced in 1910 by Dr.
N.
E.
Hansen at South Dakota State University.
Ovate-elliptical leaves (to 2” long) with serrate margins are a distinctive and attractive reddish purple.
Fragrant, solitary, white flowers (1/2” across) with pink tints bloom in spring (April) after the foliage emerges.
Flowers give way to an often meager production of small blackish-purple fruits (to 3/4”) that mature in July.
Fruits are eaten by birds.  #5 gallon