Flowering Period, Propagation Methods of Prunus x cistena (Purple-leaf Sand Cherry) in the Rosaceae Family, and How It Differs from Purple-leaf Plum

Prunus x cistena has good ornamental value, grows fast, propagates easily, tolerates pruning well, and has strong adaptability. So when does Prunus x cistena bloom? How do you propagate it? What is the difference between it and purple-leaf plum? According to available information, Prunus x cistena generally blooms in spring, with its flowering period from April——May.

I. When does Prunus x cistena bloom?

Prunus x cistena generally blooms in spring, with its flowering period from April——May.

Flowering form of Prunus x cistena

Prunus x cistena is quite beautiful when in bloom. As you can tell from the name, its leaves are purple or red, and the underside of the leaves is even more vivid in color. The flowers of Prunus x cistena are usually solitary, relatively small, pink in color, and give off a faint fragrance.

II. How do you propagate it?

Timing of layering for Prunus x cistena

Air layering can be done between late April and early September, with the best time being early May, because if planted at this time, the layer can take root before September and be cut off for seedbed cultivation.

Selection of layers for Prunus x cistena

Select branches from vigorous parent branches, with a thickness requirement of between 1 and 2.5 cm.

Treatment of layers for Prunus x cistena

After girdling the branch at the leaf stalk below, apply a 0.03% naphthaleneacetic acid aqueous solution, then wrap the wound with wet mud. Once this step is done, you can bag the area four to five cm below the cut. Remember to secure the bagged branch with string after bagging, and pour water into the top of the bag. Water every four to five days to ensure normal rooting of the layer.

Cutting away from the parent plant

About one month after the first watering, new roots will grow at the wound, and after two to three months it can be cut away from the parent plant and planted in a pot or in the open ground.

III. What is the difference between it and purple-leaf plum?

1. Different tree height

Prunus x cistena is shorter than purple-leaf plum. Prunus x cistena reaches a height of only two meters at most, while purple-leaf plum can reach five meters.

2. Different tree form

The trunk and inner bark of Prunus x cistena are entirely purplish-red, and the main trunk is short with many branches. The trunk of purple-leaf plum is white, the inner bark is green, and the main trunk is very long.

3. Different flower color

The flower color of Prunus x cistena is relatively vivid, tending toward pink in the later flowering stage. The flower color of purple-leaf plum tends toward white, and in the later stage it is basically white.

4. Different flowering period

The flowering period of Prunus x cistena is April to May, while the flowering period of purple-leaf plum is April.

5. Different leaf shape

The leaves of Prunus x cistena are narrow, long and neat, while the leaves of purple-leaf plum are mostly oval in shape.