Prunus cerasifera 'PISSARDII' myrobalan, purple-leaved cherry plum

Pissardii was the very first variety of purple-leaved cherry plum to reach Europe from the Orient, naturally named after its discoverer. Early in spring, before blackthorns and Japanese cherries begin to bloom, it bursts into a profusion of small, nearly white flowers with purplish calyxes, which from a distance can appear as light pink blossoms. In summer, pollinated flowers develop into small drupes with a deep purple skin. These are edible and, in some countries (England, France), are pitted and used as dessert garnishes—although I personally find other plum varieties more flavourful.

The deciduous leaves are elongated oval to broadly ovate and emerge only in the final stage of flowering. In spring, they shine in a radiant wine-red hue, as if viewed through a glass of fine claret in the sunlight. Later in the season, the colour slightly deepens yet retains a visible red tone—unlike the ‘Nigra’ variety, which is dark purple, nearly black.

In nurseries, it is shaped into a single-trunk standard tree or an attractive multi-stemmed form with a clean lower framework, though naturally, it forms densely branched shrubs with low branching and a broadly funnel-shaped silhouette. When grown as a tree, its crown gradually develops into a broad oval to nearly rounded shape. It is not a tall tree—typically reaching about six metres in height and width, though older specimens in parks with unrestricted root space can grow somewhat larger.

This vividly coloured, smaller tree is excellent for breaking up monotonous green landscapes or serving as a specimen complementing a differently coloured facade. It pairs well with urban greys and various shades of cream. It can be pruned and shaped freely, ideally right after flowering and no later than mid-summer. In England, pruning is widely practiced, and the tree is often planted in hedgerows, creating a striking colour statement.

Myrobalan is a very hardy and reliable tree. It is well-suited for urban and industrial environments, as it tolerates polluted air exceptionally well. It is not demanding in terms of soil, but for a truly beautiful tree with lush foliage and dense branching, plant it in slightly acidic soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. In its early years, provide a few handfuls of slow-release organic fertiliser in early spring. Trees should be firmly staked for the first three to five years, and grass should not be allowed to grow over their roots. It is fully hardy down to approximately -40 °C (USDA zone 3) and is suitable even for mobile greenery in large containers.

Last update 23-05-2025