Red-leaf ornamental shrubs line a plant nursery bed, with glass greenhouses and a blue sky in the background.

Compact shrub with dark burgundy leaves and light gray stems in a pot.

Close-up of dark burgundy-purple leaves on a dense shrub, vibrant reddish foliage dominating the frame

Shrub with burgundy-red, glossy leaves in a garden setting.

Purple-leaf ornamental shrub in a black plastic pot at a plant nursery.

Row of red-purple shrub plants in a nursery with greenhouses in the background.

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry

Name: Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Brand: Grasshopper Gardens
SKU: PLSC-001
Price: 39.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (34 reviews)

Burgundy Purple Foliage
Pale Spring Flowers
Colorful Specimen Shrub

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#5 Container

$73.00

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We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
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Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

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Purpleleaf Sand Cherry

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry is a deciduous ornamental shrub prized for deep burgundy-purple foliage, fragrant pale spring flowers, and an upright rounded habit. Its bold leaf color and manageable size make it a standout choice for foundation beds, mixed borders, privacy accents, and specimen plantings.

Why choose Purpleleaf Sand Cherry?

Choose Purpleleaf Sand Cherry for season-long foliage color and graceful spring bloom in one easy-to-place shrub. Its dark purple leaves provide strong contrast against green shrubs, evergreens, ornamental grasses, and flowering perennials. In spring, lightly fragrant pale pink to white flowers brighten the branches before the foliage fully takes over. This shrub works well as a focal point, an informal hedge, a foundation accent, or a colorful backdrop in sunny landscape beds.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Prunus × cistena
Common Name: Purpleleaf Sand Cherry
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry Additional Information

Purpleleaf Sand Cherry blooms in spring, producing small pale pink to white flowers that appear along the branches and bring a soft, lightly fragrant display to the landscape. After flowering, the plant becomes most valued for its rich burgundy-purple foliage, which holds attractive color through much of the growing season, especially in full sun. Small dark fruits may develop in summer and can be visited by birds.

This shrub is deciduous, dropping its leaves in winter and returning with fresh growth in spring. It is commonly used as a specimen, foundation plant, colorful hedge, entry accent, or mixed-border contrast shrub. Purpleleaf Sand Cherry can be pruned after flowering to maintain shape, remove crossing stems, or encourage a denser habit. Good air circulation, full sun, and well-drained soil help support the best foliage quality and overall performance.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Purpleleaf Sand Cherry in full sun with well-drained soil. Choose a location with good air movement and enough room for its mature spread, especially when using it as a specimen or hedge.

2. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during the first growing season while roots establish. Once established, water during extended dry periods, especially in hot, sunny sites or fast-draining soils.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch slightly away from the stems. Mulch helps conserve moisture and gives the planting bed a clean finish.

4. Pruning: Prune shortly after spring flowering if shaping is needed. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and thin crowded stems to maintain an open, attractive form.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Purpleleaf Sand Cherry get?
Purpleleaf Sand Cherry typically grows about 7 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide, depending on site conditions, pruning, and overall plant age.
When does Purpleleaf Sand Cherry bloom?
Purpleleaf Sand Cherry blooms in spring with pale pink to white flowers. After bloom, its burgundy-purple foliage becomes the main ornamental feature through the growing season.
Where should I plant Purpleleaf Sand Cherry?
Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil where its dark foliage can provide contrast, such as foundation beds, shrub borders, entry plantings, informal hedges, or focal-point locations.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Lush Foliage
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Small: Up to 15 ft
Mature Spread	5-10 ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Prunus × cistena
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Mid spring
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Rosaceae
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#5 Container, #7 Container

United States map with state boundaries filled in green on a white background.

Growing Zones 2-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -50)

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Mature Spread	5-10 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft	5-10 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft
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Flower Color	White	Red	White	White	Pink	Pink
Family	Rosaceae	Rosaceae	Adoxaceae	Rosaceae	Rosaceae	Rosaceae
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Maintenance	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low