The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry, otherwise known as the Prunus X Cistena Plant Patent #29,575 or Callery Pear ‘Bradford’, Bradford Callery Pear, is a rather well known tree plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
Best known for its low maintenance and moderate growth, this tree will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its purple colored leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
Fortunately, this is exactly what we’ll cover in this Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Care Guide. So let’s dive in.
In order to take proper care of your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry you’ll need to keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Water: The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
- Light: Keep your Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 in an environment where it can receive partial shade to full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.
That’s it – sunlight, water and soil! The basic 3 fundamentals for all plant care, and with the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry this is no exception. With these three elements, your leafy friend will live healthy and happy.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
In botanical terms, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry belongs to the Rosaceae family, the genus Pyrus and the species Calleryana, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 (PROO-nus sis-TEE-na).
The Rosaceae family also includes other plants like Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Hachapp’, Malus ‘Golden Delicious’, Cotinus Coggygria ‘Lilla’, Magnolia X ‘Daybreak’, Malus Domestica, Cercis Canadensis Var. Texensis ‘Oklahoma’, Ninebark ‘Diablo’, Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’, Prunus Cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’, Thundercloud Myrobalan plum, Prunus Persica Var. Nucipersica ‘Snow Queen’, Rhododendron Yakushimanum ‘Crete’, Rosa ‘Golden Showers’, Rosa X ‘Joseph’S Coat’, Rosa X ‘New Dawn’, Spiraea Japonica ‘Conspiyet’, Thriller Lady’s Mantle, Everlasting Thorn ‘Kasan’, First Snow Spirea, Fuji Apple, Pink Rugosa Rose, Prunus Laurocerasus, Prunus Salicina ‘Ozark Premier’, Alyssum Serpyllifolium, ‘Brilliantissima’ Chokeberry, Prostanthera Cuneata ‘Badja Peak’, Cotoneaster humifusa, Skimmia Japonica, Raspberry ‘Anne’, Aronia nigra, Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose, Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Monsidh’, Forsythia X ‘Courtasol’, Carthaginian Apple, Red Delicious Apple, Taiwan Firethorn ‘Santa Cruz’, Rosa Banksiae ‘Lutea’ and Baby’s Breath Spirea.
As with other Pyrus’s, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a deciduous plant, which means it will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
Growing Region
The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a plant native to the China and Taiwan.
You might be wondering why your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry’s native region is important. Well, if you know where your plant originally came from, you’ll know which environment conditions it prefers, and with it, knowledge on how to replicate it at home.
With this in mind, the Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 will be most used to the heat zones in the 3 – 8 region, as the plant hardiness level falls between 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a and the ideal climate zone is between 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a relatively moderate grower, which makes things somewhat easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But, how big does the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry actually get? What should you expect in terms of size? Let’s dive right in…
The Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001′ Plant Patent #29,575 can grow up to 30′ – 50′ (9m – 15m) in 30′ – 50′ (9m – 15m) and 20′ – 35′ (6m – 10.5m) in 20′ – 35’ (6m – 10.5m).
Also, expect it to grow in a wonderful compact, and rounded shape, which is something worthwhile to remember when making your garden landscape plans.
Water
In terms of watering, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is a fairly simple plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 prefers constant watering each week and more during the hot season.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry in soil with moist but well-draining to well draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
However, in our experience, the best solution to knowing the right amount of water for your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is with the ‘thumb’ technique. Basically, you insert your finger into the soil, and based if you feel the soil moist or dry, you determine if it needs any water, which is the most appropriate way to go about watering your leafy friend.
Soil Mix
The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry’s ideal soil potting mix is made out of clay, loam, chalk, and sand.
This is why most experts agree that the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry requires soil with clay, which will give you the right conditions it needs.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry requires partial shade to full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this tree will do well as long as you keep it in full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).
Season
Being a deciduous plant, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (mid, late), the summer (early, mid, late), and during the fall.
Flowers
You can expect your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry to flower around the spring months from April to June (spring).
In particular, this tree is well known for its showy flowers around the plant enthusiast community.
The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry produces some beautiful pink, or white flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry have a beautiful purple color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a alternate organization in its leaves.
You can expect the leaves from your Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 to be around (1-3 inches) in size.
Attracts, Tolerance and Resistance
The Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry is well known for being able to attract birds, so keep that in mind when choosing your plant, as you’ll likely end up finding one or another in your garden.
Additionally, it has a special tolerance for clay soil and drought conditions, so don’t worry if any of these come along, your Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 will be fine.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry will look best in it.
Most Prunus X Cistena ‘Uconnpc001’ Plant Patent #29,575 owners agree that this tree will look great in most rustic gardens of all types.
Other owners consider that they complement well most gardens of city and courtyard, and in informal and cottage styles.
In particular, the Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry’s best use for landscaping within your garden is as urban garden, specimen, container, coastal exposure, hedge, small spaces, or a wildlife garden.
Companion Plants
Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Picea pungens, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Weigela will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
And we’ve come to an end. Fortunately, that’s everything you need to know about your Darkstar® Purple Leaf Sand Cherry to keep it safe and sound in your garden or home. Enjoy planting!
