Why Plant Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum?
When it begins to feel truly wonderful to be outside, the birds are singing, and cherries and daffodils are blooming away, look to Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum to join in on the festivities. All along its purple branches will sprout blush-pink blossoms to cheer spring's arrival. Even if it didn't flower, though, this fast-growing ornamental tree would be a colorful addition to your landscape with its rich burgundy foliage that lasts all season. Growing a bit taller than wide to a height of only about 20 feet, Thundercloud Plum will make an impact in your landscape without hogging the whole yard, too. You might want to get two or three!
Purple Leaf Plums were brought to France in 1880 from Persia (what is modern-day Iran). From there, this novel purple plant spread to the rest of Europe and the U.S. ‘Thundercloud’ was developed in California in 1919 by the famous plant breeder Luther Burbank. Burbank gifted the world with over 800 plant varieties, including new strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries; scores of new fruit and nut trees; new roses, lilies, and poppies; the Shasta Daisy; and the forerunner to the number-one French fry potato still used today: the Russet Burbank!
How to use Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum in the landscape?
The dense deep purple-red foliage makes this tree stand out in any landscape. Just imagine your driveway lined with Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum - now that will attract some attention! The foliage color remains all season but is highlighted by the pale pink fragrant blooms appearing in spring. This Plum also produces some small purple berries in fall, a special little treat for birds and other small animals.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
How To Plant Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum
Many red-leaved plants fade to reddish-green in summer, but Purple Leaf Plums—Thundercloud included—hold their deep crimson color from spring clear through fall. Those rich burgundy leaves look great with just about any color scheme. Thundercloud is a fast growing tree that has considerable drought tolerance once established. This variety does produce a lot of little plums (edible, so you don’t have to worry about the kids eating them), and you may not want to place this tree near sidewalks, as the plums can be rather messy when they fall.
How To Water
Water weekly, or better yet, use the Bower & Branch® Water Element to deliver just the right amount of moisture to your tree throughout the growing season.
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
The Thundercloud Plum typically does not require regular pruning. However, if corrective pruning is needed, do so in in mid-spring after the leaves have matured.
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.
