Thundercloud Flowering Plum is a stunning ornamental tree that delivers double duty: fragrant pale pink spring flowers followed by deep red foliage that darkens as the season progresses, plus small dark red edible plums tucked among the leaves. Originated by Luther Burbank in 1919, this cultivar has become America's most beloved purple-leaved plum variety, thriving in zones 5 through 9 and reaching a mature height of about 25 feet. The combination of ornamental drama and surprising edible harvest makes it a distinctive choice for gardeners seeking year-round visual interest.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
300in H x ?in W
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High
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Thundercloud blooms with delicate pale pink flowers in spring before the foliage takes over, transforming the canopy into a rich deep red that intensifies through the season. The small edible plums that develop are dark red both inside and out, a hidden gem for curious gardeners willing to forage among the branches. This tree thrives in full sun and adapts well to maritime climates, earning its place as the most popular purple-leaved plum in America for good reason.
Thundercloud serves primarily as an ornamental specimen tree, valued for its stunning spring flowers and dramatic foliage color that sustains interest throughout the growing season. The small edible plums that occasionally develop offer a pleasant bonus for adventurous gardeners, though fruit production is unpredictable and secondary to the tree's landscape appeal. This variety is particularly well suited to maritime climates where its foliage color remains vibrant.
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The small dark red plums develop sporadically among the foliage and ripen in mid to late summer. Harvest when the fruit feels slightly soft to the touch and the skin color has deepened to a full dark red both on the surface and inside; they will be distinctly red throughout, not pale or yellow-fleshed.
Thundercloud develops dense, twiggy growth throughout its canopy and benefits from yearly summer pruning to maintain shape and improve air circulation. Keep the tree smaller than its full 25-foot potential through consistent summer pruning, which encourages a more refined form and reduces maintenance long-term.
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“Luther Burbank developed Thundercloud in 1919, representing decades of his work in ornamental and fruit breeding. Burbank's vision was to create a plum that functioned as an outstanding landscape specimen without sacrificing the possibility of fruit production. The variety emerged during a golden era of American horticultural innovation and quickly became the benchmark against which other purple-leaved plums are measured, a testament to both its ornamental beauty and the durability of Burbank's plant development.”