{"product_id":"prunus-cerasifera-nigra-fastigiata-upright-flowering-plum","title":"Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra Fastigiata' – Upright Flowering Plum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePrunus cerasifera\u003c\/em\u003e 'Nigra Fastigiata' is the upright form of the purple-leaf flowering plum. It carries the same deep purple-crimson foliage as the familiar 'Nigra', but in a narrow columnar frame rather than a spreading one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn early spring, pale pink buds open to a profusion of single white blossom along the bare stems, before the purple foliage flushes through behind it. That sequence is the whole appeal: white blossom against dark branches, then a solid column of purple that holds all summer and turns bronze in autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt reaches around 5 metres tall by 3 metres wide. That narrow habit is the reason to choose it over the standard 'Nigra', which spreads to 4 or 5 metres. It fits a side boundary, a narrow bed or a tight driveway where the spreading form would crowd, and a row of them screens a neighbour without taking the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun gives the strongest foliage colour and the heaviest flowering. It wants free-draining soil and shelter from strong wind. Otherwise it is a hardy, undemanding deciduous tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin:44px 0 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:1.5px;margin:0 0 8px;padding-top:32px;border-top:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);text-transform:uppercase;color:currentColor;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 24px;color:currentColor;opacity:0.65;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;\"\u003eAbout Upright Flowering Plum\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhat is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra Fastigiata'?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eIt is the fastigiate, or upright columnar, form of the purple-leaf flowering plum. Same deep purple foliage and early white blossom as the well-known 'Nigra', but held in a narrow upright frame instead of a spreading canopy. It is also sold as Upright Purple Leaf Cherry Plum or Upright Black Ornamental Plum.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow big does it grow?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eAround 5 metres tall by 3 metres wide. The narrow width is the point of the tree, and it is what separates it from standard 'Nigra' at 4 to 5 metres across.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow is it different to Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra'?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eShape only. The foliage, flowering and hardiness are the same. 'Nigra' forms a rounded spreading canopy to 4 or 5 metres wide, while 'Nigra Fastigiata' stays columnar at around 3 metres. Choose the fastigiate form where width is the constraint, such as a side boundary, a narrow bed or a driveway.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhen does it flower, and what colour?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eEarly spring, before the leaves. Pale pink buds open to single white blossom carried the length of the bare stems. The purple foliage follows behind the flowers, so you get white blossom on dark branches first, then the colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eDoes the foliage hold its colour all season?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes. The deep purple-crimson holds right through summer rather than fading to green, then turns bronze before leaf drop in autumn. Full sun gives the strongest colour, and it will dull noticeably in shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eCan I use it for screening?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes, and it is one of the better options for a narrow site. Plant 2 to 2.5 metres apart for a screening row. Bear in mind it is deciduous, so the screen drops away over winter, which suits a garden where you want winter sun and summer privacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhere does it grow best?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eFull sun in free-draining soil, sheltered from strong wind. It is hardy and tolerates most conditions across temperate and cool-climate Australia, from Melbourne and the Victorian districts through the NSW tablelands to Adelaide and Tasmania.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow do I care for it?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eWater deeply through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in early spring. Prune in late winter while dormant, removing any branch that breaks the upright line. Watch for aphids on soft new growth and for leaf curl in wet springs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evergreen Trees Direct","offers":[{"title":"100L","offer_id":47207995769031,"sku":"PRUCERNIGFAS100L","price":650.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/4945\/4279\/files\/PrunusFastigiata100L_e443c053-2449-4ba0-8bc3-9957b7c790fb.png?v=1789709447","url":"https:\/\/www.evergreentrees.com.au\/products\/prunus-cerasifera-nigra-fastigiata-upright-flowering-plum","provider":"Evergreen Trees Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}