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Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Most loved for its deep purple-black foliage, masses of pale pink spring blossom, and compact form that delivers bold seasonal contrast in gardens and streetscapes.

Regular price $280.00
Sale price $280.00 Regular price
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Title: 40cm/45L
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Pot size
40cm/45L

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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Size / batchEachQuantity
40cm/45LApprox. height: Approx. 1.3m – 2.8m$280.00
100LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$700.00
500LApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$3,360.00

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

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About Prunus cerasifera

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', the Purple-Leaf Plum, is a much-loved deciduous feature tree grown for its deep purple-black foliage and soft pink spring blossom. The rich leaf colour holds through the entire growing season, giving a striking contrast against green plantings.

Purple-Leaf Plum grows to 4-6 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with a graceful rounded canopy. The compact, well-structured form and manageable size make it an ideal feature tree for gardens, streetscapes, and small yards, where it offers strong architectural appeal. Masses of soft pink blossoms appear in early spring, often before the new foliage emerges.

Purple-Leaf Plum is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, and a wide range of soils once established. It performs best in full sun, which encourages the richest leaf colour, and needs only minimal pruning to maintain its shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

How tall does Prunus 'Nigra' grow?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', the Purple-Leaf Plum, grows to 4-6 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with a rounded canopy.

How fast does Purple-Leaf Plum grow?

Purple-Leaf Plum is moderately fast-growing, adding 40-60cm per year once established.

What colour is the foliage?

'Nigra' has deep purple-black foliage that holds its rich colour through the entire growing season, providing strong contrast against green plantings.

When does Purple-Leaf Plum flower?

'Nigra' produces masses of soft pink blossoms in early spring, typically August to September across Australia, often appearing before the new foliage.

Is Purple-Leaf Plum deciduous?

Yes. 'Nigra' is fully deciduous, dropping its purple foliage in winter and producing fresh purple leaves in spring after flowering.

Is Purple-Leaf Plum suitable for street planting?

Yes. The compact size, pink spring flowers, and year-round purple foliage make 'Nigra' a popular street, feature, and small-garden tree.

Where does Purple-Leaf Plum grow best in Australia?

'Nigra' is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, and a wide range of soils once established.

Foliage

Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months)

Position
  • Full Sun
  • Part Shade
Form
  • Upright
  • Rounded
Use
  • Feature Tree
  • Street Tree
  • Avenue Planting
  • Council or Civic Landscapes

Planting Information

How To Plant Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

  • Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum in Different Soil

Prunus cerasifera performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Uses in my Garden

Uses in my Garden

  • Feature Tree
  • Street Tree
  • Avenue Planting
  • Council or Civic Landscapes

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum works in an:

  • Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
  • Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum Evergreen or Deciduous?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 8m (approx.)

Mature Width: 3m to 6m

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

  • Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum frost tolerant?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum Flower?

Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ bursts into masses of single pale pink to soft white blossoms in late winter to early spring. The delicate flowers appear along bare dark branches, creating a striking contrast before the deep purple foliage emerges for the season.

Does Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum flower?

  • Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

  • Spring

Flower Type:

  • Clustered

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum an Australian Native Tree?

No

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum is Native to Derived from Prunus cerasifera, native to southeast Europe and western Asia. ‘Nigra’ is a popular ornamental cultivar selected for its dark foliage and reliable blossom.

What is the Wildlife Value of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum ?

Its early-season blossoms attract bees and pollinating insects when few other flowers are available. The small summer fruits provide food for birds, while the branching canopy offers shelter and nesting opportunities, adding biodiversity value to ornamental gardens and streetscapes.

How much Sunlight does Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum need?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum will thrive best in:

  • Full Sun
  • Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support vibrant foliage colour, consistent flowering and strong seasonal growth.

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum Drought Tolerant?

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Nigra’ develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs well in warm, dry and urban conditions, maintaining healthy foliage colour with deep, occasional watering during extended dry periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall does Prunus 'Nigra' grow?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra', the Purple-Leaf Plum, grows to 4-6 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with a rounded canopy.

How fast does Purple-Leaf Plum grow?

Purple-Leaf Plum is moderately fast-growing, adding 40-60cm per year once established.

What colour is the foliage?

'Nigra' has deep purple-black foliage that holds its rich colour through the entire growing season, providing strong contrast against green plantings.

When does Purple-Leaf Plum flower?

'Nigra' produces masses of soft pink blossoms in early spring, typically August to September across Australia, often appearing before the new foliage.

Is Purple-Leaf Plum deciduous?

Yes. 'Nigra' is fully deciduous, dropping its purple foliage in winter and producing fresh purple leaves in spring after flowering.

Is Purple-Leaf Plum suitable for street planting?

Yes. The compact size, pink spring flowers, and year-round purple foliage make 'Nigra' a popular street, feature, and small-garden tree.

Where does Purple-Leaf Plum grow best in Australia?

'Nigra' is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, and a wide range of soils once established.

Compare sizes

40cm/45L

Approx. 1.3m – 2.8m

100L

Enquire for current heights

500L

Enquire for current heights

Photographs are not to scale. Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

Prunus cerasifera is loved for its deep purple-black foliage, masses of pale pink spring blossom, and compact form that delivers bold seasonal contrast in gardens and streetscapes.

We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

Plant Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum With:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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