Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Purple-Leaf Plum

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Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

$170.00

$170.00 ~~$250.00~~

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Title: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L

All stock is grown, maintained and graded in strict accordance with AS 4373-2007, Australian Standard for Nursery Stock.

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 1.4m – 1.6m Approx.
100L: 2.5m – 3m Approx.
500L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m - 8m Approximately

Mature Width: 3 – 6 meters

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale is expected to grow Approx. 30 cm – 60 cm per year.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Trade

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Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

There is no charge to calculate your freight.

Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

Our 20% Off EOFY Sale is Live

20% off sale applies automatically at checkout. No Code Required. Applies to Orders over $1,500

About Your New Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

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 striking contrast in mixed 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, landscapes, streetscapes, and small yards, offering strong architectural appeal in urban settings. Fragrant pink blossoms appear in early spring.

Purple-Leaf Plum performs best in full sun, which encourages the richest leaf colour, and is highly adaptable across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, and a range of soils. It prefers consistent moisture but is drought tolerant once established, needing only minimal pruning to maintain 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.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Features and Benefits

Organically certified product
Improves aeration for roots
A rich blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, Gypsum, composted coarse bark and wetting agent
Excellent to mix with heavy clay soils, an organic mixture with added gypsum which is perfect for exotic plants
Revitalises tired soils, adds nutrient and organic matter, no chemical additives, weed free
Assists in retaining moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering

Directions For Use

Water plant well at least several hours prior to planting.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and 7cm deeper than the pot.
Mix Grow Better Enriched Planting Mix with the soil that has been dug out of the hole, adding about 1/3 planting mix.
Spread a 7cm layer of improved soil in the hole and remove plant from the pot. Tease roots gently if the root ball is very firm and place plant in the planting hole. Check that pot soil is level with the surrounding soil surface level, not higher or lower.
Fill in the hole with improved soil mixture, firm down soil and water well adding Grow Better Plant Starter to final watering.

View full details

Type:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Street Tree
Avenue Planting
Council or Civic Landscapes

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale 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' - Sale Evergreen or Deciduous?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m - 8m Approximately

Mature Width: 3 – 6 meters

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale is expected to grow Approx. 30 cm – 60 cm per year.

Growth Rate of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale is expected to grow Approx. 30 cm – 60 cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale frost tolerant?

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

Does Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale 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' - Sale flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Pink

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale an Australian Native Tree?

No

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale is Native to

What is the Wildlife Value of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale ?

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' - Sale need?

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale 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' - Sale Drought Tolerant?

Is Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale 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.

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How To Plant Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

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' - Sale

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' - Sale is expected to grow Approx. 30 cm – 60 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' - Sale

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' - Sale 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the significance of the purple foliage of Purple-Leaf Plum?
The deep purple to burgundy foliage of Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' creates a striking contrast in the landscape and adds ornamental value throughout the growing season.
Is this tree suitable for urban environments?
Yes, Purple-Leaf Plum's manageable size and ornamental qualities make it an excellent choice for urban landscapes, adding character and beauty.
Does it attract wildlife?
While not primarily grown for wildlife attraction, the tree's spring blossoms may provide nectar for pollinators.