The Prunus cerasifera belongs to the rose family. The ornamental tree comes in different sizes as a shrub or tree. Depending on your taste, tall trunks or shrubs offer an excellent eye-catcher from early spring onwards.
How big does a blood plum get?
The blood plum (Prunus cerasifera) can reach different sizes depending on the variant as a shrub or tree: dwarf varieties such as Prunus x cistena reach 3-4 meters high, the Prunus cerasifera Nigra reaches 5-8 meters and the Hollywood variant 3 -5 meters. The growth rate is 10-50 cm per year.
Large selection
In specialist stores you will find both shrub-shaped specimens as well as half and standard trunks. In the wild, the blood plum reaches a maximum height of 15 meters. In your home's allotment garden or city park, you'll find bushes with growth heights of between 3 and 4 meters. Trees, on the other hand, reach up to 8 meters in a favorable location. Gardeners plant them as individual specimens or in groups.
Variations:
- Shrub (large)
- Tree (small to medium height)
Only Prunus x cistena is considered a special, weak-growing variety. The dwarf shrub impresses as a small plant with lush flowers and shiny, dark red leaves. In contrast, the Prunus cerasifera Nigra is an impressive tree with a trunk height between 150 and 250 centimeters.
Growth rate
You can get different varieties of blood plum in specialist shops. The smallest versions are 80 to 100 centimeters high. The specialist offers larger specimens from a height of 150 meters.
The blood plum is one of the slow-growing rose plants. The average growth rate is 10 to 35 centimeters per year.
Growth rate:
- Nigra (20 – 35 centimeters)
- Hollywood (30 – 50 centimeters)
Growth width:
- Nigra (3 – 5 meters)
- Hollywood (2 – 4 meters)
- Cistena and other dwarf varieties (3 – 4 meters)
Growth height:
- Nigra (5 – 8 meters)
- Hollywood (3 – 5 meters)
- Dwarf varieties (3 – 4 meters)
Important prerequisites for sustainable growth
In order for the easy-care blood plum to develop splendidly, it needs the right location. This should be sunny to partially shaded. Moist soil also works well. Waterlogging should always be avoided.
Ground cover plants or perennials make ideal neighbors for this purpose. Prefer summer bloomers. The blood plum delights with delicate blossoms in early spring. The red leafy dress combines wonderfully with bright summer flowers.
Tips & Tricks
With targeted pruning, gardeners bring their blood plum to the desired size. Shortly after flowering is the best time for this.