Common Caragana vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Common Caragana vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

Caragana arborescens

Prunus x cistena

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Common Caragana
Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

Common Caragana is a fast growing shrub that's known for its exceptional hardiness and drought tolerance. Although it's most commonly planted in shelterbelts, Common Caragana is also an excellent hedge or feature shrub.

Note: in warmer areas, this species can be difficult to contain once planted. Use the right plant in the right place.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

Common Caragana Quick Facts

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic
Foliage: purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red to purple
Flowers: yellow, in spring
Flowers: pinkish
Fruit: pod like fruits
Fruit: dark red fruit
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: black karagana, caragana, pea tree, siberian pea shrub, yellow acacia
Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry