Species cherry plum

cherry plum

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud'

The cherry plum, Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud', is a small deciduous tree, usually growing to a height 3 to 5 metres. Its original native is Eurasia and is hardy to USDA zone 4. In the spring it produces beautiful, single white flowers surrounded by leaves of grey/green. The edible fruit is small, between 5 to 10mm in diameter, and is an intense, dark red/magenta when ripe, with a sweet, juicy flesh. This species is rustic and tolerates a wide range of soils, from alkaline to slightly acidic. It's an ideal choice for gardens and small urban parks, and it's easy to care for, with little maintenance needed.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Budding,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Light pink Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

purple Fruits Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud') plants require regular watering in order to thrive. For the best results, water the plant deeply and slowly once a week, and adjust the amount and frequency of watering based on the needs of your specific plant. During the growing season (spring and summer), when temperatures are warm, it is recommended that you water your plant 3 to 4 times per week. In the winter when temperatures are cooler, water once every 2 weeks. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause root rot and fungal diseases that can damage the plant. Make sure the soil is properly drained, and if necessary, use a well-draining soil mix.

sunlight

Cherry plums (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud') need between 4 and 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. The ideal time for providing sunlight to your cherry plum tree is in the morning and late afternoon. Avoid prolonged midday exposure to direct sunlight, as this could burn the leaves of the tree and decrease the tree’s growth and flowering potential. Ideally, during this time period the tree should receive some shade or protection from the direct rays of the sun, such as a garden wall or trellis.

pruning

Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud') pruning should be done in late winter or early spring. Light pruning should be done annually to help maintain the shrub's natural shape. Remove or shorten any dead, diseased, or weak branches; thin out any crossing branches; and remove any suckers (shoots/branches coming from below the graft) to keep the shrub looking its best. Avoid over-pruning; very little needs to be done after the initial shaping of the shrub.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' is typically in July or August.

Hardiness Map