Maintenance Landscaping Design

Prunus cerasifera is a small deciduous tree or large shrub native to the Caucasus, Iran and Afghanistan. It is widely cultivated in temperate regions for its edible fruit and ornamental flowers. The tree grows to 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) tall and has a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are 7–12 centimetres (2.8–4.7 in) long and 4–6 centimetres (1.6–2.4 in) wide, with a serrated margin. The flowers are white or pink, 5–8 centimetres (2.0–3.1 in) diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a black drupe 5–8 millimetres (0.20–0.31 in) diameter, containing a single seed.

Also known as

• Cherry plum
  
• Myrobalan plum
  
• Pig plum
  
• Bullace plum
  
• Damson plum

Basic info

• Prunus cerasifera is a deciduous tree that is native to Asia and Europe.
  
• It is also known as the cherry plum or myrobalan plum.
  
• The tree can grow up to 15 m tall.
  
• The leaves are ovate-shaped and measure 6-12 cm long and 3-6 cm wide.
  
• The flowers are white or pink and appear in clusters.
  
• The fruit is a drupe that measures 1-2 cm in diameter.
  
• The tree is propagated by seed or by cuttings.
  
• It prefers full sun and well-drained soils.
  
• It is susceptible to diseases such as brown rot and powdery mildew.
  
• The tree is used in ornamental landscaping and as a source of food and fruit.

Related plant:
Prunus Serrulata Kanzan

How to Grow

1. For prunus cerasifera, first step is to choose the right tree. Make sure to select a variety that is suited to your climate and soil type.
   
2. Once you have chosen the right tree, the next step is to prepare the planting site. Choose an area that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.
   
3. Before planting, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the tree’s root ball.
   
4. Carefully remove the tree from its container and loosened any rootbound roots.
   
5. Place the tree in the hole and fill it with soil, tamping it down as you go.
   
6. Water the tree deeply immediately after planting.
   
7. For the first year, water the tree regularly, making sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
   
8. Fertilize the tree in early spring using a balanced fertilizer.
   
9. Prune the tree as needed to shape it and remove any damaged or diseased branches.
   
10. Enjoy your beautiful prunus cerasifera tree for many years to come!

Related plant:
Prunus Lusitanica

Soil Requirement

About soil condition, prunus cerasifera prefers well-drained soils with a high organic content. They are very tolerant of urban conditions and will even do well in poor soils as long as they are not waterlogged.

About light

So, like the other fruit trees, prunus cerasifera trees need full sun to produce the most fruit. If you live in an area with hot summers, you'll need to provide some afternoon shade to prevent the fruit from getting too much sun and becoming too dry.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for prunus cerasifera is between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. This is because the plant is native to temperate regions and does not tolerate extreme heat or cold well. Prunus cerasifera can still survive in temperatures outside of this range, but it will not thrive. In fact, if the temperature gets too hot or too cold, the plant will start to die. So, if you want your prunus cerasifera to be healthy and happy, make sure to keep it in a temperature that falls within the ideal range.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 40-50%. The plant can tolerate a wide range of humidity, from very dry to very wet, but it will not do well in extremely humid conditions. If the air is too dry, the leaves will become dry and brittle. If the air is too wet, the leaves will become yellow and sickly looking.

The Fertilizer

For the fertilizer, this plant requires a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring before new growth begins. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, taking care not to get any on the trunk or leaves. Water the fertilizer in well. Repeat this process every month through the growing season. In the fall, after the leaves have dropped, apply a high phosphorus fertilizer to promote root growth.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your Prunus cerasifera healthy and looking its best. By removing dead or damaged branches, you not only improve the appearance of the plant, but you also help to promote new growth. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean shears to avoid damaging the plant. Also, be sure to prune in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

Plant Propagation

Propagation of prunus cerasifera is best done by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be taken from young, healthy shoots that have not yet flowered. Cuttings should be 10-15cm long and should have 2-3 leaves. Cuttings should be placed in a moist, well-drained growing medium. Bottom heat will help promote rooting. Once roots have developed, the cuttings can be transplanted into individual pots.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate studies have been conducted on potted plants and grafts, with most of the focus on fruit production. However, a few studies have looked at the growth rate of the overall plant, and these suggest that the growth rate of prunus cerasifera is variable. Some plants may grow rapidly, while others may grow slowly. There is also some evidence to suggest that the growth rate of prunus cerasifera may be influenced by the amount of water and nutrients available to the plant.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are canker, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot. These problems are caused by different fungi and bacteria. Canker is caused by the fungus Nectria cinnabarina. Leaf spot is caused by the fungus Stigmina carpophila. Powdery mildew is caused by the fungusMicrosphaera cerasicarpa. Root rot is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

Basics of Growing

• Make sure to plant prunus cerasifera in an area that gets full sun.
  
• Prunus cerasifera does best in well-drained soil.
  
• Add organic matter to the planting hole to help improve drainage.
  
• Water prunus cerasifera regularly during the first growing season to help establish a deep root system.
  
• Fertilize prunus cerasifera in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
  
• Prune prunus cerasifera in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
  
• Be on the lookout for pests and diseases. Aphids, scale, and powdery mildew can all affect prunus cerasifera.
  
• Prunus cerasifera is generally deer resistant.
  
• Prunus cerasifera can be propagated from softwood cuttings taken in late spring

Similar Plants

• Prunus corsica
  
• Prunus cretica
  
• Prunus cuneata
  
• Prunus dasycarpa
  
• Prunus domestica
  
• Prunus emarginata
  
• Prunus illingworthii
  
• Prunus incisa
  
• Prunus japonica
  
• Prunus lusitanica

Source:
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera)-Hort Answers - University of …
Prunus cerasifera habit: UIPLANTS - University of Illinois Urbana …
Thundercloud Flowering Plum - Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud'