Prunus cerasifera Hessei - Cherry plum

The Cherry Plum, Prunus cerasifera Hessei, also known as the variegated myrobalan, captivates with its early flowering and its variegated leaves, which evolve through the seasons. Its naturally compact growth makes it very suitable for small gardens and for growing in a large container on the terrace. It is valued for its delicately pinkish flowers in March-April and its bronze-purple leaves edged with cream to pink, which take on beautiful colours in autumn. This easy-to-grow, deciduous bush mainly requires well-drained soil and a sunny position.

Belonging to the Rosaceae family, this 'Hessei' cultivar of Prunus cerasifera (myrobalan or myrobalan plum) is a variegated and dwarf form selected in Germany, presumably by the Hesse nurseries (Weener) in the early 20th century. The botanical species originates from the Caucasus and Western Asia, naturalised in many regions of Europe; it is found on woodland edges, in hedges and along paths. It is among the first trees to flower in spring.
'Hessei', with rather slow growth, reaches 2 m to 2.50 m in height with a 2 m spread at 10 years old, rarely more than 3–4 m at maturity, which classifies it among small trees. In a container, the height is often kept between 1.5 and 2 m. This prunus is naturally bushy, but it is often grafted and trained as a small tree with a trunk (half-standard of 80 to 120 cm or standard of 180 to 200 cm) and a rounded, compact crown.
The young, ovate leaves, about 4–6 cm long, emerge pale green then turn bronze-purple with irregular margins ranging from creamy yellow to pink; at the end of the season, before falling, they take on red, purple and yellow hues. The year's shoots are brown-purple, and the bark of mature specimens is grey-brown to blackish. Flowering occurs from March to early April, depending on the region. The single, 1.5 to 2 cm diameter, nectar-rich flowers are white with a purple heart, emerging from purple buds. From a distance, the flowering crown of this tree looks slightly pink. These five-petalled corollas with numerous stamens are borne on short shoots from the previous year. The fruiting, variable from year to year and depending on exposure, is in the form of small globular drupes of 2–3 cm, red to purple when ripe. These are edible, but best for culinary uses (jams, sauces) and very popular with birds. The root system is mostly shallow and spreading, as with many Prunus. This variety is hardy down to −20 °C.

Prunus Hessei can be grown in many regions, but it dislikes compact and clayey soils or arid situations. With its small size, its colourful, variegated leaves and its early flowering, it has many attributes. It can be placed as a standalone specimen, in a fruiting hedge or in a large shrub border. To accompany it, choose small trees or large, easy-going bushes, for example, ornamental crab apple Malus Evereste, hawthorn Crataegus lavallei Carrierei, Amelanchier lamarckii, or a common lilac Syringa vulgaris Mme Lemoine.
The plums of the wild myrobalan are traditionally used in the Caucasus to prepare the Georgian tkemali sauce.