Prunus padus 'Colorata'

Common Name: bird cherry 
Type: Tree
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 3 to 6
Height: 20.00 to 25.00 feet
Spread: 15.00 to 25.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Pink
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Street Tree, Flowering Tree
Flower: Showy
Leaf: Colorful
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Adaptable to a wide range of soils.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Prunus padus, commonly called European birdcherry, is a deciduous ornamental cherry tree that typically grows 20-40’ tall with a rounded crown. Fragrant white flowers in pendulous 3-6” long clusters (racemes) appear after the foliage emerges in spring. Flowers are followed by astringent, pea-sized, black cherries which ripen in mid-summer. As with the closely-related chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), the fruit is extremely bitter to humans but loved by birds. Serrate, dull dark green leaves (to 4” long) are elliptic to obovate. Foliage turns yellow in fall.

Genus name from Latin means plum or cherry tree.

Specific epithet is the Greek name of a wild cherry.

‘Colorata’ is a compact, purple-leaved cultivar that features (1) bronze to reddish-purple young leaves, (4) summer leaves that are dark green above but dull purple below with purple veining, (3) deep pink flower buds opening to pink, and (2) purple twigs.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Potential diseases include leaf spot, canker and black knot. Potential insects include aphids, scale, borers and to a lesser degree tent caterpillars.

Uses

Spring flowers are the best ornamental feature. Medium-sized tree for sunny landscape areas. Street tree.