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Purple Pony Flowering Plum Tree

Prunus cerasifera 'Purple Pony'

Regular price $13999
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Delivery and Shipping

Delivery and Shipping

Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150+ $24.99

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Plant Highlights

Purple Pony Flowering Plum Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Prunus cerasifera 'Purple Pony'
  • Growing Zones
    5-8
  • Mature Height
    15 feet
  • Mature Spread
    15 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Shade
  • Moisture
    Moderate to Low
  • Soil
    Well Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Flower Color
    Pink
  • Fall Color
    Burgundy / Purple
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Fragrant
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    When Dormant
  • Bloom Period
    Early Spring

Homeowners across the country have fallen in love with the Purple Pony Plum Tree (Prunus cerasifera 'Purple Pony'). This dwarf ornamental tree is a dependable accent with abundant shell-pink flowers in early spring, followed by lush, deep purple foliage. A true standout in the world of small ornamental trees, this flowering plum is non-fruiting, tidy, and simply gorgeous!

The single pale pink blooms call in the butterflies while adorning bare branches, then become covered in vivid purple-red foliage that never fades or dulls through the heat of summer. Compact in size and uniform in shape, Purple Pony Plum is an easy-care choice for today's smaller landscapes where color and form are in high demand.

Introduced in 1962, Purple Pony has been winning hearts for decades. A sterile, fruitless Flowering Plum, it's perfect for homeowners wanting beauty without the mess of fallen fruit. Beloved for its ornamental value, this tree will shine in your yard for years to come.

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

  • Abundant Shell-Pink Flowers for Pollinators
  • Non-Fruiting and Sterile Flowers = No Mess!
  • Rich Purple Leaves That Never Fade
  • Burgundy Fall Color
  • Compact Size - Perfect for Small Yards
  • Sweet-Scented Flowers Attract Butterflies
  • Tidy Growth Habit and Minimal Pruning

Landscaping Uses

Purple Pony Plum is the perfect small accent tree for modern yards. From its light pink blooms to striking purple leaves, this ornamental tree shines as a specimen or anchor tree in garden beds.

  • Lovely specimen for front yard plantings
  • Use as a pair at entryways or corners of homes
  • Plant in rows to line a driveway or back fence
  • Great small shade tree when limbed up
  • Keep lower branches for privacy screening
  • Adds dramatic color to compact urban lots
  • Plant multiple for uniform hedgerows spaced 8-10 feet apart or single specimens 10-12 feet apart for dramatic curb appeal

Care & Maintenance

Purple Pony Plum thrives in USDA growing zones 5-9. This deciduous ornamental tree is hardy, non-fruiting, and compact, making it one of the easiest Flowering Plums to grow.

  • Planting Time - Best planted in spring or fall
  • Sun Requirements - Full sun, with part shade in hotter climates (afternoon shade is ideal)
  • Soil Requirements - Needs well-drained soil; tolerates a wide range but dislikes poor drainage (plant on a mound or raised bed if needed)
  • Moisture Needs - Moderate; water regularly during the first year. Use the Finger Test to monitor soil moisture
  • Arborist Mulch - Apply a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and protect roots
  • Fertilization Needs - Enrich soil with compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring
  • Pruning Info - Prune when dormant (fall, winter, or summer). Light pruning maintains shape and structure. Avoid heavy spring pruning to preserve blooms. Learn about deadheading for perennials.
  • Special Perks - cold-hardy, moderate drought-tolerant, great disease resistance, tidy growth, non-fruiting, easy-care

Don't forget to order your Nature Hills Root Booster for lifelong mycorrhizal support.

Pretty And Practical! Purple Pony Is A Winner

With gorgeous blooms, sterile flowers, rich purple foliage, and a compact habit, Purple Pony Plum Tree is a gardener's dream. This small ornamental tree delivers color, fragrance, and easy care without the fruit mess. Order your Purple Pony Plum Tree today from NatureHills.com and enjoy its beauty season after season!

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Purple Pony Plum Trees get?

  • They can reach about 15 feet tall and wide at maturity under ideal growing conditions.

How fast do Purple Pony Plum Trees grow?

  • They grow at a medium rate, gaining about a foot per year when happy.

Do Purple Pony Plum Trees lose their leaves?

  • Yes, they drop leaves in fall as they are deciduous, but they are not messy and remain fruitless thanks to sterile flowers.

Are Purple Pony Plum Trees messy?

  • No, they are non-fruiting, so there’s no fallen fruit cleanup, making them one of the tidiest ornamental trees available.

When will my Purple Pony Plum Tree ship?

  • Nature Hills ships at the right planting time for your region. See our shipping schedule for details.

Customer Reviews

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Z
Zil
Very impressed!

I have had this tree for a little under a year. It has been practically neglected and yet grew strong roots, put on tons of growth, and has had no pests. It was the last plant to lose its leaves and is one of the first to bloom. I can not recommend This beautiful tree enough. I can't wait for it to get even bigger!

Dear Zil,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your tree! We’re thrilled to hear how resilient and vibrant it has become under your care, even with minimal attention. It’s always inspiring to learn about these thriving plants—they truly prove their worth when they grow strong roots and bloom beautifully. Since you’re excited for it to get even bigger, remember that regular watering during dry spells and occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer can really encourage healthy growth. If you ever have questions or want more tips as your tree continues to flourish, we're here for you.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Z
Zil
Very impressed!

I have had this tree for a little under a year. It has been practically neglected and yet grew strong roots, put on tons of growth, and has had no pests. It was the last plant to lose its leaves and is one of the first to bloom. I can not recommend This beautiful tree enough. I can't wait for it to get even bigger!

Dear Zil S.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your tree! We're delighted to hear that despite a bit of neglect, it has thrived so beautifully with strong roots, impressive growth, and a healthy, pest-free season. It truly speaks to the resilience and quality of the tree you chose. Watching it be among the last to shed leaves and first to bloom must be such a rewarding sight!

If you’re hoping to encourage even more growth as it matures, feel free to reach out anytime—we’d be happy to provide tips on fertilizing or pruning that can help nurture its potential. Also, keeping light watering routine and mulching can support healthy roots as it expands.

Thanks again for recommending this tree and for your trust in Nature Hills. We’re excited to see it thrive for many seasons to come!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Z
Zil
Quick growing, hardy and beautiful

The tree arrived as a stick with one branch in a y shape. I planted it in full blazing sun in spring of this year. I did minimal watering and am in zone 7. Despite me not babying it the tree has grown fast and beautifully. In about 6 months it has put on almost 3 ft of growth. The leaves are a beautiful color that have not faded or scorched at all.

Dear Zil,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with your new tree! We’re thrilled to hear how well it’s doing—even with such minimal watering and those sunny springtime trials in zone 7. It’s fantastic that the tree has shown such robust growth and vibrant foliage without any scorching, which truly speaks to its hardiness and your attentive planting spot choice.

If you ever want to optimize care further, remember that occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells can support even stronger root development, and mulching can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. We’re here anytime if you’d like personalized tips or printable care guides for your particular tree species.

Thank you again for trusting Nature Hills. It’s a joy to be part of your gardening story!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Z
Zil
Quick growing, hardy and beautiful

The tree arrived as a stick with one branch in a y shape. I planted it in full blazing sun in spring of this year. I did minimal watering and am in zone 7. Despite me not babying it the tree has grown fast and beautifully. In about 6 months it has put on almost 3 ft of growth. The leaves are a beautiful color that have not faded or scorched at all.

Hi Zil S.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your tree! We're delighted to hear that despite minimal watering and the intense sun in zone 7, your tree has thrived beautifully and grown nearly 3 feet in just six months. It sounds like the planting spot and your care approach were just right for this hardy, quick-growing variety. The rich color and health of the leaves you describe truly speak to the toughness of this tree.

If you ever want tips on pruning, fertilizing, or expanding your garden with new companions that enjoy similar conditions, we’d love to help out. Don’t hesitate to check our growing guides or reach out anytime for tailored plant care advice.

Flowering values like yours inspire us!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

C
Cheri
My Purple Pony

Although this arrived looking a little more than a twig (it lost all leaves in shipping and was bone dry), I followed the instructions, soaked it overnight in a bucket and planted the very next day. I am happy to say it is now thriving and I cannot wait for it to grow! Even my neighbors have commented on the beautiful purple leaves.

Dear Cheri,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Purple Pony! We truly appreciate you trusting our planting instructions despite its initial twig-like condition. It’s wonderful to hear that your pony is now thriving and delighting both you and your neighbors with those stunning purple leaves. Your patience and care really made all the difference!

If you ever need any tips to keep your Purple Pony flourishing or choose companions for your growing garden, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you nurture your plants every step of the way.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

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