[member11809]

http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/prunus-cerasifera-nigra/1834.html

I have one of above says will grow to 8 meter. I saw one in a gardencentre and it said up nto 3 meter. Do they come as both sizes.?

[Greengage]

Prunus cerasifera nigra 8 metres plus.

[member11809]

[Slave77]

It may have been a misprint on the label, someone mistaking an 8 for a 3, you would be surprised how easy misprints on plant labels happen.....

[member11809]

[Slave77]

Yep, it's very possible! 3m is about 9 ft give or take The size of a large shrub, 8m is about 26 ft, a tree, although it takes 10-20 years to reach mature size. Some times you can get tree varieties as multi stem or feathered I.e. Not with clear trunk as in 'normal' standard trees and they look more like shrubs. What you will find on the like of RHS reference sites/books is what I would always go by, can't always trust labels.

[tippben]

Reread your label. Often the height given is "at ten/fifteen years old". How old is the tree you buy? P. cerasifera "nigra" (pissardii) will grow to 50' in height and width. Its roots will spread a bit further than that. It lives for about 35-50 years. It doesn't take kindly to drastic pruning, which like ane Prunus, must be done in late June to early August. Either plant one where it can grow freely, or as a plant that will be removed when it becomes unlovely.

If you like the flowers, pick a different cherry. If you like the purple foliage, there are purple forms of Hazel (Corylus avellana "purpurea"), Norway Maple, or even the smoke bush (Cotinus coggyria).

[Greengage]

unless you have lots of space dont go for the purple norway maple you will be knee deep in huge leaves in Autumn, I would go for a malus, Amelanchier, Sorbus or Prunus amanogawa.

[member11809]