Newport Flowering Plum Tree

A Newport flowering plum tree blooms before leaves appear.

Indigenous to Asia, the Newport flowering plum tree (Prunus cerasifera) belongs to the rosaceae plant family. Also known as Newport cherry plum and Newport purple leaf plum, this tree commonly serves as an ornamental.

Growth Habit

According to the University of Connecticut Plant Database, the Newport flowering plum tree relishes full sun and well-drained, acidic soil, reaching a height and breadth of about 28 feet with a rounded crown. Newport flowering plum tolerates drought and adapts to diverse soils such as loam, clay and sand.

Flowers, Foliage and Fruit

Plums reach maturity in late summer.

Fragrant, pale pink and white blossoms burst open before leaves appear and grow to about 1 inch in size. In autumn, the deciduous Newport flowering plum tree boasts showy, purple foliage; serrated leaves extend up to 4 inches, reports the University of Florida. Edible, reddish-purple fruit -- 1 to 3 inches in diameter -- matures by summer's end.

Pests and Diseases

Borers -- insects that inflict damage on tree trunks -- may cause the demise of a Newport flowering plum tree, according to the North Carolina State University Plant Pathology Extension. Spraying insecticide onto lower portions of the tree aids in the management of these pests. Discarding infected branches and fallen leaves, along with spraying fungicide on contaminated areas of the tree, can control perennial canker and cherry leaf spot, two common fungal diseases.

References

• University of Connecticut Plant Database: Prunus Cerasifera
• University of Florida: Prunus Cerasifera 'Newportii': Newport Cherry Plum
• North Carolina State University Plant Pathology Extension: Disease and Insect Management in the Home Orchard
• North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension: Disease Control in Cherries, Plums and Other Stone Fruits