The purple-leaf chokecherry has been introduced and propagated for many years at the Beijing Botanical Garden, and has also been cultivated by seedling producers for many years. In large areas of the northern region, it has highlighted its excellent characteristics as a color-leaf tree species. From the pink buds in spring, to the green branches and leaves after leaf expansion, from the initial red in summer to the purplish-red crown in summer, its leaf color changes are extremely rich. Its naturally open tree shape, lush leaves, and purplish-red fruits all have very high ornamental value; its cold resistance, drought resistance, and tolerance to poor soil, as well as its heat resistance and disease and pest resistance, make it one of the excellent landscape color-leaf tree species in the northern region.
Due to its fast scenic formation, easy cultivation and transplantation, leaf viewing, flower viewing, fruit viewing, and long leaf-viewing period, the purple-leaf chokecherry plays an important role in the urban landscaping and beautification of northern cities, making it an excellent landscaping tree species. Compared with the purple-leaf plum, the purple-leaf chokecherry has brighter and more beautiful leaves; compared with the purple-leaf plum, the purple-leaf chokecherry's purplish-red leaves remain persistent without fading, while the purple-leaf peach turns from red to green and often loses its color-leaf effect. In addition, the purple-leaf chokecherry has fewer pests and diseases than the above two color-leaf tree species, is coarsely managed, and has strong resistance to low temperatures and adverse conditions.
The tender leaves of the purple-leaf chokecherry are fresh green, and the old leaves are purplish red, forming an interesting contrast when planted with other tree species. In gardens and scenic spots, it can be planted individually, in clusters, or in groups, and can also be planted in patches, or made into large colorful hedges and large flower bed patterns. It can also be used as secondary street trees on urban roads and as ornamental trees for neighborhood greening. It is also suitable for planting on lawns, corners, intersections, slopes, riverbanks, rocks, courtyards, building fronts, entrance squares, etc.
In the process of planting in garden landscapes, attention should be paid to the biological characteristics of the purple-leaf chokecherry, and its growth and development patterns should be understood. Since the initial leaves of the purple-leaf chokecherry need to reach a certain accumulated temperature for the leaf color to turn red and then purple, they need to be planted under full sunlight to display their bright colors; if planted in shaded or semi-shaded environments, the leaves will lose their red color or find it difficult to turn green, losing the effect of purplish-red leaves.
As a color block plant or color-leaf tree species, the purple-leaf chokecherry does not require a large amount of pruning work. It has fewer pests and diseases, reducing pesticide use and pollution to the urban environment.
Although the purple-leaf chokecherry has strong adaptability, it can grow better in good soil conditions, humid air, warm climate, and ventilated environments, maintaining the freshness of the leaves and extending the leaf-hanging period of the purple-leaf chokecherry, while keeping the leaf color bright. Therefore, attention should be paid to planting suitable trees in suitable locations.