Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum
Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud'
A stunning ornamental tree that provides year-round color with deep reddish-purple foliage that darkens throughout the season. In early spring, delicate pink flowers emerge before the leaves, creating a breathtaking display against bare branches. This hardy tree maintains its rich purple color better than most purple-leafed varieties, making it a landscape favorite.
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–8
USDA hardiness
Height
15-30 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum · Zones 5–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Atropurea' white to pinkish flowers, purplish foliage 'Crimson Pointe' 'Krauter's Vesuvius'light pink flowers, dark purplish foliage 'Newport'pale bluish-pink flowers, dark purple to red or red purple foliage 'Nigra'bronze leaves in the spring, dark purple leaves summer, and orange-red leaves fall 'Purple Pony'dwarf variety, 10 to 12 feet in height and width 'Purple Pony'dwarf variety, 10 to 12 feet in height and width 'Thundercloud' pale pink to white flowers, coppery-purple foliage, 'Atropurea', 'Crimson Pointe', 'Krauter's Vesuvius', 'Newport', 'Nigra', 'Purple Pony', 'Purple Pony', 'Thundercloud'. Propagation: Grafting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is a smooth, round, yellow, or red drupe that is up to 1.25-inches in diameter and ripens mid to late summer. Cultivars may be reddish-purple fruits. Fruits are not produced in great quantities.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: The fruits are edible and are used in tarts or jellies.
History & Origin
Origin: Southeast Europe to Central Asia and the Himalayas
Advantages
- +Attracts: The fruits are edible and are used in tarts or jellies.
- +Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Fruits are eaten by songbirds. Insects pollinate the flowers.
- +Edible: The fruits are edible and are used in tarts or jellies.
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Seeds, Stems): Medium severity
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Repels aphids and other pests that commonly affect plum trees, adds fragrance
Chives
Deters aphids and Japanese beetles, improves soil health around tree base
Marigold
Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects for pest control
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts pollinators
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch for tree
Daffodils
Bulbs deter rodents and voles from damaging tree roots, early spring color
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties help prevent bacterial and fungal diseases
Hostas
Thrives in partial shade under tree canopy, provides attractive groundcover
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill stone fruit trees
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants including fruit trees
Eucalyptus
Releases chemicals that suppress growth of other plants, competes for water
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to most diseases
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, borers
Diseases
Fire blight, leaf spot, canker