Pissardii Cherry Plum

Synonyms: red-leaved cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera var. atropurpurea H. Jaeger, Prunus pissardii, Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii Bailey, Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. pissardii (Carriere) L. H. Bailey, Prunus divaricata var. Pissardii Bail., Cherry Plum, Pissardii Plum, Purple-leaved Plum, Myrobolan.

Pissardii Cherry Plum – a small deciduous tree 6-12 (14) m tall and 6-12 (17) m wide. Annual growth up to 25 cm. The native range is considered to be Abkhazia, Adjara and western Georgia. It was first brought to Europe by the botanist Pissardi from Iran. In the wild it grows on well-lit, open mountain slopes of Western Asia. It also grows in the North Caucasus. Lifespan up to 100 years.

Crown dense, broadly ovate, very leafy. Young shoots are reddish, later becoming light brown.

Leaves glabrous, elliptical in shape, up to 7 cm long, glossy. The upper side of the leaf is reddish-brown with a metallic tint, the underside is intensely red. Leaf color does not change in autumn.

Flowers in April, before leaf emergence, and finishes in May, when leaves are already present. Flowers are pink, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, borne on thin, light-pink pedicels. By the end of flowering they become dark red. Stamens are bright raspberry colored.

Fruits abundantly, fruits are dark cherry, juicy drupes, up to 3 cm in diameter, weighing 20-30 g. The stone is oblong-oval. Fruits are edible, ripen in August and remain on the tree until October.

Root system shallow, well branched.

Forms: Pissardii early, Pissardii dark-purple, Cistena (hybrid of Pissardii plum and sand cherry (Cerasus besseyi)).

Hardiness zone: 5-9.

Location/site: recommended to plant in sunny, warm sites. Requires fertile and well-drained soils. Can grow in dry areas with regular watering.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well.

Diseases and pests: resistance to diseases and pests is high.

Propagation: propagated vegetatively – by green cuttings, layers, grafting, budding. Seed propagation does not produce uniform material.

Use: looks good as a specimen planting on a lawn, suitable for color compositions. Used for group and avenue plantings. Low-growing forms can be used for hedges and borders.