Purpleleaf Sand Cherry
Best vibrant foliage for adding year round garden color.
The Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is a striking shrub or small tree, celebrated for its rich, reddish-purple foliage that provides vibrant color throughout the growing season. It produces delicate, fragrant light pink flowers in spring, often after the leaves have emerged. Small, dark purple fruits appear in July, attracting birds. This fast-growing plant is ideal as an accent, border, screen, or hedge, adding unique red tones and floral highlights to any landscape. Its distinctive leaf color makes it a perfect addition to entryways. The leaves can reach up to 2 inches long when mature.
$22.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.4
/ 5
Category Rank
2302
/ 2688
#2302 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
/ Full Sun
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking continuous visual appeal and rich color in their landscape.
- Homeowners desiring early season blooms and a touch of spring elegance.
- Landscapers needing a versatile, medium-sized shrub for diverse garden designs.
Who should skip it
- Gardeners preferring low-maintenance plants and minimal pest management effort.
- Planners looking for long-term landscape investments and enduring garden fixtures.
- Individuals seeking truly hands-off plants that require no shaping or trimming.
Key Specs
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Bloom Time
Spring
Soil Conditions
Normal, Well-drained, Loamy, Sandy
Flower Color
Pink
Fruit Color
Black, Purple
Mature Height
9 feet
Mature Spread
9 feet
Growth Rate
Fast
Features
- Vibrant reddish-purple foliage
- Fragrant light pink flowers
- Attracts birds with dark purple fruits
- Fast-growing accent shrub or small tree
- Walnut toxicity resistant
- Suitable for borders, screens, or hedges
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Cut flower potential
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Purpleleaf Sand Cherry upon delivery, noting plants arrive healthy and well packaged. Many express satisfaction with the plant's robust growth and vibrant purple foliage, which adds significant aesthetic appeal to their landscapes. The ease of establishment and reliable performance are frequently highlighted, making it a favored choice for gardeners. This consistent quality and successful growth contribute to a strong perception of value for money, exceeding expectations for a garden addition.
Know before you buy
This plant typically reaches a mature height and spread of 9 feet. Because of its fast growth rate, it is often used as a screen or hedge, though it can also be maintained as a smaller accent shrub with proper pruning.
Yes, for the best leaf color, you should plant it in a location that receives full sun. While it is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy or loamy conditions, adequate sunlight is essential for the vibrant reddish-purple pigment.
It is an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies, while the dark purple fruits that appear in July are a reliable food source for local birds.
Yes, the Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is walnut toxicity resistant. This makes it a versatile option for landscapes where other plants might struggle due to the juglone produced by black walnut trees.
Yes, the delicate, fragrant light pink flowers have cut flower potential. You can bring them indoors in the spring to enjoy their scent and color in a vase.
The Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. This wide range makes it a resilient choice for many different climates across the country.
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