Prunus cerasifera Nigra - Black Cherry Plum

Prunus cerasifera ’Nigra’ is a small to medium sized deciduous tree popular both in the garden as well as often being utilised within urban planting.

It starts in early spring with deep pink buds from which emerge pretty single pink flowers which gently fade to white as its dark foliage appears.

The deep blackish-purple leaves remain on the tree until autumn when they turn a brighter red before falling.

Traditionally a fruiting variety it often produces small juicy dark red plums around 2 to 3cm across but this should not be relied upon.

Extremely tough it is tolerant to a wide range of conditions and soils but will thrive in full sun and in soils that are well drained.

Growing around 20-30cm a year it develops from a conical shape turning in maturity into a rounded crown with a fully mature height of around 5 to 7m with a 3 to 6m spread.

FACT: The Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’ was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1993.