Royal Burgundy Japanese Cherry Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' (d)
ABOUT
The plant known as 'Royal Burgundy' is characterized by its striking foliage and floral attributes. The leaves exhibit a unique, rich burgundy color that makes it stand out among other garden plants. These leaves often emerge with a deep red hue in the springtime and gradually darken as they mature. The plant blooms with beautiful and delicate flowers that provide a striking contrast against the dark foliage. The flowers are typically pink, which adds a soft and attractive element to the overall aesthetic of the plant. 'Royal Burgundy' maintains its vibrant leaf color through the seasons until the leaves drop in the fall. Overall, the plant presents a bold yet graceful appearance that can serve as a focal point in any garden setting.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Royal Burgundy Cherry, Purple-leaved Japanese Cherry, Red-leaved Cherry.
Common names
Prunus 'Royal Burgundy'
ToxicityTo humans
The Japanese flowering cherry, which includes Prunus 'Royal Burgundy', contains components that can be toxic to humans if ingested. The seeds, leaves, and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide when chewed or digested. If ingested in large quantities, symptoms of poisoning may include difficulty breathing, dizziness, headache, stomach pain, nausea, and potential blood pressure drop. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to cyanide poisoning, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
To pets
The Japanese flowering cherry, which includes Prunus 'Royal Burgundy', is considered toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. Similar to its toxicity in humans, the seeds, leaves, and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can be poisonous when ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets can include drooling, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, and lethargy. Ingesting large amounts can lead to cyanide poisoning, which can be fatal. Pet owners should seek veterinary care immediately if their pet consumes any part of this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Burgundy
Flower color
Pink
Height
20 feet (6 meters)
Spread
20 feet (6 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: The Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' (Japanese Flowering Cherry) offers stunning ornamental value with its rich burgundy foliage and beautiful pink spring blossoms.
- Shade Provision: As a deciduous tree, it provides shade in the summer, which can help cool surrounding areas and provide a comfortable outdoor environment.
- Habitat for Wildlife: This tree serves as a habitat and food source for various species of birds and beneficial insects, contributing to biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: With its changing foliage color and blossoms, this tree offers visual interest across different seasons, enhancing the aesthetic of landscapes.
- Pollinator-friendly: The blossoms of the Prunus 'Royal Burgundy' attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many plants and crops.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The deep purple foliage and pink blossoms of the ornamental cherry make it an excellent background for portrait and nature photography, providing a rich, contrasting backdrop.
- Craft material: The branches and flowers of the ornamental cherry can be used in floral arrangements and crafts, such as making wreaths or dried flower compositions for home décor.
- Ink and dye production: The deep color of the leaves and blossoms may be used to create natural dyes for fabric, or potentially as a pigment for eco-friendly inks.
- Mood-enhancing environment: The striking appearance of the ornamental cherry, when planted in gardens or parks, can contribute to mental well-being by creating aesthetically pleasing and calming spaces.
- Educational tool: Ornamental cherry trees, with their distinct color changes through seasons, serve as an excellent resource for teaching about plant life cycles and seasonal changes in nature education programs.
- Bonsai: The 'Royal Burgundy' variety, with its attractive foliage and relatively small flowers, can be trained into a bonsai, presenting a unique challenge for horticultural enthusiasts.
- Wildlife shelter: Though it is an ornamental, it can provide shelter and habitat to birds and beneficial insects within a managed landscape or garden setting.
- Nature-inspired art: Artists can use the ornamental cherry tree as a live model for drawing, painting, or photography projects, capturing the beauty of its blossoms and foliage.
- Cultural celebrations: Due to its resemblance to traditional cherry blossoms, branches of the ornamental cherry could be used in festivals or events celebrating cherry blossom season, especially in areas where true cherry blossoms are not readily available.
- Thematic gardening: The intense color of the 'Royal Burgundy' leaves makes it a choice specimen for creating themed garden areas, such as 'moon gardens' or color-focused landscapes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Cherry is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Cherry is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Life: As a cherry blossom variety, Royal Burgundy represents beauty and the fleeting nature of life, symbolizing the importance of living in the present and appreciating beauty around us.
- Renewal and New Beginnings: Blooming in spring, the cherry blossom signifies renewal and the start of new experiences, making it a symbol of hope and optimism.
- Impermanence: The brief blooming period of these flowers serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the concept of "mono no aware," the poignant awareness of transience.
- Feminine Beauty and Strength: The delicate appearance yet resilient nature of the Royal Burgundy aligns with traditional symbols of feminine beauty and inner strength.
- Educational Achievement: In some cultures, cherry blossoms are associated with education and the blooming of intelligence.
- Love and Affection: The cherry blossom's gentle appearance and association with spring also connect it to themes of love, romance, and the affectionate bonds between people.
WaterThe Purple Leaf Sand Cherry, or 'Royal Burgundy', requires consistent watering to keep its soil moist, particularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Water the plant deeply, providing it with about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, depending on rainfall and soil conditions. During hot, dry periods, increase watering to twice a week. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of leaf diseases. It's best to use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the base of the plant.
LightPurple Leaf Sand Cherry thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It needs at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day to grow healthily and produce the best foliage color and flowering. An ideal spot would be a location that receives morning sun and some light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.
TemperaturePurple Leaf Sand Cherry is hardy and best suited to temperature ranges common in USDA zones 3 through 8. The plant can typically handle winter temperatures as low as -40 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for vigorous growth ranges from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPrune a Purple Leaf Sand Cherry to maintain its shape, remove any dead or damaged branches, and encourage more vigorous growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Lightly trim throughout the growing season to shape the plant as desired. Major pruning should be done sparingly and only when necessary as excessive pruning can reduce flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Japanese Cherry 'Royal Burgundy' prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The ideal soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of loam, compost, and aged bark or leaf mold can create an optimal environment for its roots.
RepottingJapanese Cherry 'Royal Burgundy' trees, being outdoor plants, do not typically require repotting. Instead, they may occasionally need transplanting every few years if they outgrow their space or conditions are no longer suitable.
Humidity & MistingJapanese Cherry 'Royal Burgundy' is adaptable to outdoor conditions and does not require specific humidity levels. It thrives in the ambient humidity found in most temperate climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Can't grow 'Royal Burgundy' Cherry indoors; it's an outdoor tree.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cyclePrunus 'Royal Burgundy', commonly known as Japanese Cherry, starts its life as a seed, which after stratification (cold treatment), germinates in spring. The seedling emerges and develops into a young sapling, which gradually forms a woody trunk and branches as it matures, typically requiring several years to reach flowering size. Each spring, the tree bursts with vibrant, deep pink to burgundy flowers before the foliage appears, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, if conditions are suitable, the flowers can develop into small cherries, which are typically not as edible or flavorful as other cherry varieties and serve more as a food source for birds and wildlife. As the tree enters summer, it displays reddish-purple foliage, providing ornamental value throughout the growing season. The Japanese Cherry then goes into dormancy in the winter, shedding its leaves and conserving energy for the next cycle of growth and flowering in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Prunus 'Royal Burgundy', more commonly known as Royal Burgundy Cherry, is best propagated by grafting, which tends to be the most popular method for this ornamental tree. Grafting should ideally be performed in late winter or early spring before the tree breaks dormancy. To graft Royal Burgundy Cherry, a piece of stem with buds, known as a scion, is taken from a mature tree. The scion is then attached to a rootstock, which is the lower part of a young tree or a special root prepared for this purpose. The cut surfaces are joined together and tightly bound to encourage the tissues to fuse as the tree heals. Grafting not only allows for the propagation of the desirable Royal Burgundy Cherry characteristics but also can contribute to disease resistance and control the size of the tree, depending on the rootstock used.
