Why Plant Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum?
The Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum tree (a.k.a. Purple Cherry Plum) is a ravishing redhead that will delight you with sweet shell-pink flowers in spring and deep burgundy foliage all season. This fast-growing Flowering Plum tree fills out in a hurry but stays a manageable size, topping out at 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. Plant it near your front walk, patio, pool, deck, or anywhere you want a jolt of color. Backed by light-colored siding or a white fence, this Purple Plum tree’s color really pops, and we also like it with pink- or white-flowering trees like E.H. Wilson Mimosa or Kousa Dogwood.
A royal purple plant fit for a king, Purple Leaf Plum arrived to the West directly from the garden of the King of Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1880. The ruler at that time was the first Shah to embrace some Western technologies and customs—he even employed a French head gardener, Ernest Pissard, to maintain the palace grounds. Pissard exported the first (Persian) Purple Leaf Plum to the West. Since then, other variants have been conjured—like this variety, claimed by Carl Krauter of Bakersfield, California, which was released in 1957.
How to use Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum in the landscape?
Carl Krauter knew what he was doing when he selected this volcanic beauty! Unlike the Mount Vesuvius that devastated Pompeii, this hardy Purple Leaf Plum explodes with light pink flowers in spring and later erupts with deep purple leaves that endure the entire season. Fast-growing and more heat tolerant than the Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum, the Krauter's Vesuvius Plum will knock you on your ash!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Krauter Vesuvius Purple Leaf Plum
Purpleleaf Plums will do better in a sunny location in your landscape. The sun helps them to retain their dark purple leaf color. The Krauter’s Vesuvius (which we call “K.V.’s” around here) are very heat tolerant and grows well in most soil conditions, however they don’t like soils that are too wet. So after they are first planted in your yard, give them enough water to keep the soil moist. K.V.’s are vigorous growers. Don’t be afraid to prune them when necessary. K.V.’s have strong root development (which will withstand more “Wizard of Oz”-type winds) and an upright growing habit. There aren’t too many diseases or pests that cause major problems for these Plums. Krauter’s Vesuvius is more resistant to Black Knot, which is a fungus and is controlled by cutting the infection out of the tree. It may have the occasional Japanese Beetle problem, which can be controlled by spraying, or watering your tree with a concentrated insecticide/water mixture.
How To Water
Pay attention to watering during the first season. Once your tree has established, you won't have to water as much, unless your plant is met with hot weather.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Prune the Purple Leaf Plum after the flowers fade. Prune to shape, work along the structure of the branches and remove any crossing branches.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
