Botanical Name: Prunus cerasifera 'Frankthrees'
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Common Name: Mt. St. Helens Purple-leaf Plum  
Plant photo of: Prunus cerasifera 'Frankthrees'
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Water Saving Tip:

Apply a layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.

Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost or aged sawdust.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

12-25'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Purple

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Summer

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees, Messy

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Japanese

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Screen, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:
  • Description

  • Notes

Mt. St. Helens Plum is a sport of `Newport' that grows faster and leafs out earlier. Dense rounded crown; grows about 20 feet tall and wide. Fragrant pale pink flowers emerge before leaves, followed by 1-inch edible plums (though it is not a heavy or denpendable fruiter). Leaves are a rich maroon; fall color is golden to orange. It is useful for color contrast in the landscape. This very hardy ornamental plum performs well where climates are extreme.
Grow in full sun in any well-drained soil; adaptive to a vartiety of soil types including clay, loamy-clay, and sandy-loam. pH adaptive. Prune after flowering (see Guides for tips).