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Worried about my Prunas Cistena (Sand Cherry)

fcorryfcorry Posts: 6

I planted a Prunas Cistena (Sand Cherry) shrub in April and was looking forward to the contrast of having the red foliage that the plant bears. 

To my suprise the foliage has actually stayed a light green colour and the leaves have not turned red, so I'm concerned as to whether the plant is healthy or if I'm not caring for it correctly?
Below are some pictures.  I welcome your advice / observations.

imageimageimage

Last edited: 25 June 2017 19:16:47

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    It doesn't resemble Prunus x cistena at this stage ; in full or partial shade they tend to revert to green .

    Try the plant in full sunshine .

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Did it have leaves when you bought it?  What colour were they?

    I would expect it to have the purplish red leaves right from the beginning in spring.  


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    If your supplier is anything like our local 'garden-centre' , you've probably been sold the wrong tree anyway!

  • fcorryfcorry Posts: 6

    Yeah they were the same colour as pictured, perhaps they stuck a wrong label on it.  I just assumed they'd turn red as the season went on.  Perhaps a different type of Prunas, but the label said Cistena.

    Last edited: 25 June 2017 19:44:42

  • fcorryfcorry Posts: 6
    Paul B3 says:

    If your supplier is anything like our local 'garden-centre' , you've probably been sold the wrong tree anyway!

    See original post

    Yes it's a bit of an independant family run garden centre.  The plants were in stock in April, they had quite a few with the same Cistena X, showing the cherry flowers and red foliage on the labels, but all the plants had green leaves at the time.  I can't see it being lack of sun as it's had loads sunshine, so I'd say your probably right and they sold me the wrong tree.  I guess I'll just have to see how it blossoms.

  • fcorryfcorry Posts: 6
    Dovefromabove says:

    Did it have leaves when you bought it?  What colour were they?

    I would expect it to have the purplish red leaves right from the beginning in spring.  

    See original post

     Yes it had the sames green leaves as pictured, I just assumed they'd turn red when planted and when the weather got warmer.

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    Apologies for being so negative ; it is totally inexcusable for any supplier to mis-label plants . This happens so often nowadays , the 'staff' in our local gc are about as knowledgeable as Tescos!!!

  • fcorryfcorry Posts: 6
    Paul B3 says:

    Apologies for being so negative ; it is totally inexcusable for any supplier to mis-label plants . This happens so often nowadays , the 'staff' in our local gc are about as knowledgeable as Tescos!!!

    See original post

    I agree, although this is my first bad experience with this particular Garden centre, if it turns out the plant is not a Cistena or even a Prunas shrub for that matter, which is looking quite likely.  I'm going to mention it when I next go in, as one of the chaps who works there know's me quite well.

    Last edited: 25 June 2017 20:15:33

  • fcorryfcorry Posts: 6

    Thinking a bit more about this, it must be a cherry of some variety as it had the light pink blossoms in abundance during April, perhaps just not a Cristena X.  I don't like not knowing though, so if anyone has any ideas, then it's guess the Prunus!! 

    I guess I'm happy with it regardless, it wasn't that cheap at £8.99 for a small shrub, but at least I know it's probably ok health wise and they just sold me a mislabled cherry.  My fault for not doing my research before buying.

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