Photo of: Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum Tree

Thundercloud Plum

Name: Thundercloud Plum
Brand: Grasshopper Gardens
SKU: TCP-001
Price: 129.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (28 reviews)

Dark Purple Foliage
Pink Spring Blooms
Small Ornamental Tree

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#15 Container

$223.00

14 in stock

3-4″ Caliper

$498.00

15 in stock

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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

518-793-9623.
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Thundercloud Plum

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.

Thundercloud Plum

Thundercloud Plum is a small ornamental flowering tree known for pale pink spring blossoms, dark purple foliage, and a rounded landscape form. Its bold leaf color and compact tree size make it a standout specimen for sunny lawns, mixed borders, cottage gardens, and focal-point plantings.

Why choose Thundercloud Plum?

Choose Thundercloud Plum for its dramatic purple foliage and early spring flower display. Pink blossoms appear before or as the leaves emerge, giving the tree a soft, colorful start to the season. The foliage then matures into rich purple tones that hold ornamental value through much of the growing season. Its manageable size makes it easier to use than large shade trees, while still providing height, structure, and strong contrast among green shrubs and perennials.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’
Common Name: Thundercloud Plum, Thundercloud Cherry Plum, Purple Leaf Plum
Plant Type: Deciduous ornamental tree
Growth Habit: Upright, rounded to vase-shaped small tree

Thundercloud Plum Additional Information

Thundercloud Plum is grown primarily for ornamental flowers and foliage rather than fruit production. In spring, the branches are covered with pale pink blooms that create a soft contrast against the tree’s dark twigs and emerging red-purple leaves. As the season progresses, the foliage deepens to one of the darkest purple tones among flowering plums, adding steady color to sunny landscapes.

This deciduous tree loses its leaves in fall and shows its branching structure through winter. It is especially useful as a lawn specimen, entry accent, backdrop tree, cottage garden feature, or colorful addition to mixed shrub borders. Small fruit may occasionally form and can attract birds and wildlife, though fruiting is usually not the main reason gardeners choose this tree. For best shape, prune after flowering as needed to remove crossing, damaged, or crowded branches while preserving its natural ornamental form.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Thundercloud Plum in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. Set the root flare slightly above the finished soil level, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly to settle the root zone.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in hot, exposed, or sandy locations.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and reduce competition from turf. Keep mulch pulled back from the trunk to protect the bark.

4. Pruning: Prune after flowering to shape the canopy and remove dead, damaged, crossing, or crowded branches. Light pruning helps maintain an attractive form without reducing the spring flower display.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does Thundercloud Plum get?
Thundercloud Plum typically matures around 15 to 25 feet tall and wide, depending on growing conditions, pruning, and available landscape space.
Does Thundercloud Plum need full sun?
Yes. Full sun supports the richest purple foliage color and best flowering. It can tolerate partial shade, but foliage may appear less intensely colored in lower light.
When does Thundercloud Plum bloom?
Thundercloud Plum usually blooms in early to mid spring, producing pale pink flowers before or as the purple foliage begins to emerge.
Where should I plant Autumn Gold Ginkgo?
Plant it in a sunny, open location with well-drained soil and enough room for its mature canopy. It works well as a lawn specimen, street tree, park tree, or architectural focal point.

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

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft
Mature Spread	10-20 ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud
Bloom Time	Mid spring
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Rosaceae
Flower Color	Blue/Purple
Hardiness Zones	5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, #7 Container, 2-3" Caliper, 3-4″ Caliper

Map of the United States with most states filled in dark green and a few states left uncolored in white, indicating coverage in the shaded areas.

Growing Zones 5-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -20)

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