
| Prunus x cistena Purpleleaf sand cherryCulture: The Purpleleaf sandcherry is a short-lived shrub that needs to be located in full sun for best foliage color. It may require pruning to remove dead wood, especially in the colder regions. Borers are a common problem resulting in a short life span. Keeping the plant vigorous and supplying irrigation in a drought will help reduce borer incidence. Usage: Because of its prominent dark maroon-purple foliage, this selection tends to be used as a specimen plant or in small masses. I have also seen it used nicely as a lightly sheared hedge in the Netherlands. The cultivar 'Minnesota Red' has more intensely colored foliage and the trademarked, Big Cis, is a taller and more vigorous form. |