Ornamental Plums

• The most popular varieties of flowering plums (Prunus spp.) with purple leaves are Thundercloud, a P. cerasifera variety that produces pinkish-white blossoms in spring, and Newport, with leaves that are purple on top and green on the bottom. Both grow 15 to 20 feet tall, fitting well into a small garden. The sand cherry (P. x cistena) grows to only 8 feet and has fragrant flowers.
  
  

Maples

• Crimson King and Royal Red Norway maples (Acer platanoides spp.) are large shade trees with large, deep-purple leaves. They grow slowly to 50 feet in well-drained soil in full sun and need regular watering. Crimson Sentry is more columnar and colors to red in fall. Japanese maples (Acer palmatum and Acer japonica spp.) offer numerous purple-leaved varieties, including Bloodgood, an upright tree that reaches 12 feet tall, and Purple Ghost, which reaches only 8 feet. Most Japanese maples prefer protection from hot afternoon sun.
  
  

Crabapples

• Crabapples (Malus spp.) are small trees suited to the urban garden that flower profusely in midspring with pink blooms. Cardinal grows to 16 feet and is known for its disease-resistance. Prairiefire grows to 15 feet and has deep red buds that open to dark pink flowers. Royalty has dark purple leaves similar to a flowering plum and reaches 15 feet tall. Velvet Purple is a pillar form that reaches 20 feet.
  
  

Other Choices

• Varieties of smoke tree (Cotinus coggyria) with deep purple foliage include Royal Purple, Velvet Cloak and Grace. Smoke trees grow to about 15 feet; their flowers are tiny, airy puffs that resemble smoke. Forest Pansy redbud (Cercis canadensis) has purple, heart-shaped foliage. It grows to 12 feet and needs shelter from afternoon sun. Purple beech (Fagus sylvatica purpurea) is a large tree that reaches about 50 feet at maturity. A weeping variety, F. sylvatica purpurea pendula) grows to only 10 feet.