Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' Tree

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is a striking ornamental Cherry Plum tree favoured for its rich, deep purple foliage and stems which can appear almost black. In March-April, 'Nigra' erupts in a mass of single pink flowers which are popular with bees and contrast beautifully with the emerging bronze leaves. The foliage colours to a blackish purple and then in autumn it takes on shades of red and orange.

This Black Cherry Plum tree has a rounded form and will grow to an estimated height and spread of 5 x 3 metres in 20 years. Preferring soil with good drainage, it is tolerant of most soil types and also pollution.

A beautiful small flowering cherry, Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' is ideal for limited spaces and after flowering it creates a wonderful foliage foil for other plants.

AKA Black Cherry Plum tree, Purple Leaved Plum, Flowering Cherry Blossom

• Common name: Purple Leaved Plum tree
• Awards: RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 3 metres
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Flowers: 5 petaled pink blossom in spring
• Foliage: Bronze new leaves mature to black-purple, orange-red in autumn
• Soil: Suited to all but very wet or extremes

Planting Advice for Prunus cerasifera Nigra Trees

Our pot grown 'Nigra' Purple Plum trees can be planted at any time of year. Choose a location away from strong winds to protect the blossom, then remove weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as the root mass and twice as wide. Sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost. Fill in the hole and firm around gently, taking care not to bank soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting Ornamental Cherry Plum trees with a stake and tie kit to help anchor the roots - instructions are in the planting guide. Finish by watering generously around the base.

After Care Advice for Prunus Nigra Trees

Water Purple Leaf Plum trees well and regularly through the first spring and summer, increasing in periods of hot or dry weather. In autumn, you may only need to water a little. Our irrigation kits aid establishment.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.

Pruning Prunus cerasifera Nigra Trees

Although you can leave Ornamental Plum trees to their own devices, if you prune them for the first few years they will create a more balanced branch framework and healthier trees in the long run. After two to three years, you will only need to remove any damaged or unwanted branches.

Carry out pruning after flowering i.e. after the petals have dropped but before the new shoot growth appears.

Delivery Costs

1 small tree (most under 1.5 metres in height) : £9.95 + vat

1 medium tree (most 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £11.95 + vat

2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £14.95 + vat

1-4 trees delivered by pallet to kerbside (inc. mature Japanese Maples): 24.95 + vat

Mature trees, pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode not quantity. Starts from £48 + vat.

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process. Please note, we are unable to deliver outside of Mainland UK.

Delivery Timescales

All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 3 weeks of placing the order, unless stated otherwise. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.

For pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height), we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers about the delivery date.

Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is on the product/basket page. Orders are despatched once all trees are ready.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

To collect trees, please book an appointment. Delivery charges will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:

Standard  either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard  10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard  12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height