Cherry Plum ‘Thundercloud’ (Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’)

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ is a popular ornamental cultivar of Cherry plum with spectacular dark scarlet branches and leaves, reminiscent of the color of a thundercloud. This leaf coloration is in marked contrast to the typical green leaves of the parent plant. In early season, the leaves are red to dark, turning scarlet over the course of the year.

I. Appearance and Characteristics

Prunus cerasifera is deciduous and native to southeast Europe and western Asia. Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’ was potentially selected in 1919 by Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, California, United States.

A very popular ornamental landscape tree, Prunus cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’ (Cherry Plum) is a medium-sized, upright-spreading deciduous tree with a striking presence in the landscape, whether in bloom or not. This plum tree boasts some of the darkest purple leaves and twigs. Emerging ruby-red in spring, the serrate, elliptic leaves turn dark reddish-purple in the summer and retain their striking color throughout the growing season.

Cherry Plum 'Thundercloud' (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud')
紅葉李(紫葉李) Prunus cerasifera Thundercloud [香港青衣公園 Tsing Yi Park, Hong Kong]
阿橋花譜 KHQ Flower Guide
CC BY-SA 2.0

Opening from deep pink buds in mid-spring, masses of fragrant, single, pale pink to white flowers smother the bare branches and create a terrific floral display. Since the leaves appear while the flowers are still open, their dark color creates a splendid contrast with the pale pink flowers. The blossoms give way to small edible fruits that attract birds and other wildlife.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ likes sunshine. As a fruit tree, ample sunlight for photosynthesis is necessary for its growth and to provide sufficient nutrition to develop fruit. It should be planted in a spot that ensures it can receive at least 6 hours of sunlight, and ideally no less than 8 hours of sunlight.

Temperature

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ is fairly good at surviving in low temperatures. The temperature it can tolerate ranges from -22 ℃ to 42 ℃. It is also not very picky when it comes to water. It does not need a lot of water and is resistant to both drought and flood.

Cherry Plum 'Thundercloud' (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud')
Prunus cerasifera Thundercloud 11zz
Photo by David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0

Watering

Originating from regions with variable moisture, cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ has adapted to be moderately drought-tolerant. In its native habitat, it experiences periods of dryness interspersed with rain, necessitating a balance in water retention. This species thrives with a watering schedule of once every 2-3 weeks, ensuring the soil dries out slightly between waterings. As an ornamental tree commonly grown outdoors, cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ benefits from mulching to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature – key factors for its optimal growth and health.

Soil

When planting cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’, you should select a sandy loam soil or loam that is thick, rich in organic matter, and with a slight to medium alkaline pH of 7-8.5. Avoid planting it in a place where salt and alkalis are concentrated. Additionally, make sure that the soil is moist but drains well. It is best not to grow cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ in clay soil.

Fertilizing

Cherry Plum 'Thundercloud' (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud')
Prunus cerasifera Thundercloud 12zz
Photo by David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ likes to be fertilized. A sufficient amount of fertilizer will ensure that it grows healthily and bears fruit. Organic fertilizer is usually used for its base fertilizer. When applying fertilizer, dig a circular trench around the external circumference of the tree crown, at a depth of 38 cm and a width of 28 cm. Apply the fertilizer evenly throughout the trench, then backfill the soil.
Fertilizer should be applied twice a year, the first time prior to blooming, to supply nutrients for the flowers, and the second time when the fruit is growing larger, to supply nutrients for fruit growth and to increase the yield.

Planting Instructions

You can purchase cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ saplings in garden centers. Pay attention to two things before planting. First, choose an area of the garden that has a lower altitude to plant your cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’. This will help it to acquire enough water because its roots are shallow. Additionally, apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting it, mostly organic fertilizer. Once planted, remember to water it soon after, until the water on the surface of the soil stops draining away. When this happens you have provided sufficient water.

We generally do not sow seeds to propagate cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ because the seeds need to undergo post-ripening effects. This means that the seeds are not yet mature when they are harvested. It is only after a period of special treatment that the seeds can complete their biochemical processes and reach the condition of being mature seeds that are able to germinate.

Pruning

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ sprouts on branches that have strong budding capabilities. However, the branches can easily become overcrowded and need frequent pruning to maintain the shape, air circulation, and light exposure within the tree. This also helps to prevent pests and diseases while at the same time helping the leaves receive more sunlight.

Cherry Plum 'Thundercloud' (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud')
Prunus cerasifera Thundercloud 7zz
Photo by David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ can generate a large amount of fruit without any artificial pollination. Because cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ can produce a large number of flowers with a high yield of fruit, to maintain its growth and the quality of fruit, it is recommended that some flowers and fruit be removed to concentrate the nutrients for the remaining fruit. As a result, there will not be a large amount of fruit, but those left will be of higher quality and have an improved flavor.

Propagation

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ is best propagated through cutting, a technique where a section of stem is used to grow new plants. For success, select healthy, disease-free growth and use a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Cuttings should be planted in well-draining soil and kept moist, under conditions with indirect light to facilitate rooting. Such care ensures a better chance of successful plant establishment, maintaining the distinctive traits of cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’.

Transplanting

The prime window for transplanting cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ spans from the awakening of early spring to the gentle close of late spring, providing a blend of cool, stable temperatures and active root growth. Select a sunny to partial-shade spot with well-drained soil to ensure cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ thrives. Gentle handling of the root system during this time encourages successful establishment.

III. Uses and Benefits

Cherry Plum 'Thundercloud' (Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud')
File:Prunus cerasifera Thundercloud 0zz.jpg
Photo by David J. Stang
CC BY-SA 4.0

Cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ is perfect choice as a single specimen plant or for hedges or screens.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

The fruits of cherry plum ‘Thundercloud’ usually ripen in the early fall and can be picked for eating. If the fruit needs to be stored or transported a long distance, it is better to harvest the fruit before it softens, such as during the late summer or early fall. Note that fruit should be handled gently and, ideally, and the twig should remain on the fruit.

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