Prunus × cistena Darkstar® ‘UCONNPC001’
Overview
Uses: Mixed borders, low hedges, foundation plantings, and color accents.
Benefits: A compact, improved purple leaf sand cherry bred at UConn. Dense branching from the ground up keeps it full, and the red-purple to maroon leaves hold their color all summer instead of fading. Pale pink and white flowers open in spring before the leaves.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Spreading — compact and densely branched.
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Foliage Color: Red-Purple to Maroon
Mature Height: 4–5 feet
Mature Width: 4 feet
Bloom Season: Spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Deep purple-red foliage from spring to fall, on a sand cherry sized for today’s gardens.
Purple leaf sand cherry has long been a go-to shrub for dark foliage, but the classic form grows large and tends to open up at the base with age. Darkstar® was bred at the University of Connecticut to fix that. It reaches roughly half the size of the original, and it branches densely from the ground up, so it stays full and leafy low down.
The color is the reason to plant it. Leaves emerge red-purple in spring and deepen to maroon, holding that rich tone through summer heat instead of fading to bronze-green. Set beside gold, silver, or bright green plants, it gives a border depth and contrast all season.
Spring adds a softer note. Before the leaves appear, pale pink-and-white single flowers line the bare stems, a light, cherry-blossom moment that opens the season. At about four to five feet tall and four feet wide, it fits a foundation bed, a mixed border, or a short, colorful hedge.
Care
Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Care
Plant in full sun for the deepest foliage color. It grows in partial shade, but leaves tend to turn greener with less light.
It adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they drain well. Avoid low spots where water stands, since soggy roots shorten the life of sand cherries.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Once established, it tolerates dry spells, though a deep watering during long droughts keeps the foliage looking its best. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture.
Feed in early spring with a slow release fertilizer. Heavy feeding is not needed.
It flowers on the previous year’s growth, so prune right after the spring bloom. Its compact, dense habit needs only light shaping; remove any dead or crossing branches at the same time.
Size
What Size is the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry for Sale Online?
Our Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. Plants ship dormant or near dormant in the off-season, so they may arrive with few or no leaves. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Grow?
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall and about 4 feet wide at maturity, in an upright, spreading shape. For a low hedge, space plants about 3 feet apart.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
It is usually called purple leaf sand cherry, and is also sold as cistena cherry.
How is Darkstar® different from regular purple leaf sand cherry?
The classic purple leaf sand cherry can reach 7 to 10 feet and often thins out at the base as it ages. Darkstar® stays at roughly half that size and branches densely from the ground up, so it keeps a fuller shape with less pruning. Its leaves also hold a cleaner red-purple to maroon color through summer.
Will it grow in very cold climates?
Yes. It is rated to Zone 3, which makes it one of the few shrubs with deep purple foliage that suits northern gardens with long, harsh winters.
Can I plant it as a hedge?
Yes. Its compact, dense habit makes a colorful low hedge or border edge at about four to five feet. Planted in a row about three feet apart, the plants knit together within a few seasons. For more hedge and border plants, browse our Shrubs & Bushes.
