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red leaf cherry tree

A red leaf cherry tree is a stunning addition to any garden, prized for its vivid foliage, graceful shape, and seasonal interest. With its deep red to burgundy leaves, this tree stands out as a statement specimen or a vibrant accent in mixed plantings. If you’ve been seeking a way to add dramatic colour and year-round appeal to your New Zealand landscape, the red leaf cherry tree may well be the perfect answer.

leptospermum-red-falls--3

Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

5 from 2 customers

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and summer. This attractive manuka variety adds bold colour, texture, and movement to NZ gardens while providing year round evergreen structure.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
leucothoe-curly-red-2

Leucothoe 'Curly Red'

Leucothoe 'Curly Red' is a striking evergreen shrub grown for its uniquely twisted foliage that emerges rich red before maturing to glossy green. During cooler months the foliage develops deep burgundy tones, providing year round interest in New Zealand gardens. Its compact habit makes it ideal for borders, woodland gardens, and containers.

From $26.15

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
Leptospermum 'Electric Red' plant with red flowers.
Leptospermum 'Electric Red'

Leptospermum 'Electric Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vivid red flowers that create a bold and eye catching display in spring. The...

From$27.53
Hibiscus 'Red Knight' large and showy, red flower.
Hibiscus 'Red Knight'

Hibiscus 'Red Knight' is a striking flowering shrub prized for its large deep red blooms and lush glossy foliage. This tropical style hibiscus...

From$19.95
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Cherry 'Compact Stella'

'Compact Stella' Cherry is a compact sweet cherry tree that produces generous crops of large dark red cherries with rich sweet flavour. Its...

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Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
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Cherry 'Dawson'

'Dawson' Cherry is a productive sweet cherry tree valued for its attractive blossom, reliable crops, and delicious dark red fruit with rich flavour...

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Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
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Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

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Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$17.95
gazania-new-day-red-stripe--1
Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe'

Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe' is a colourful perennial valued for its distinctive striped flowers, compact habit, and long flowering performance. The...

From$20.63
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Cherry 'Rainier'

'Rainier' Cherry is a premium sweet cherry variety renowned for its large golden yellow fruit with a bright red blush and exceptionally sweet...

From$404.59
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$30.29
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
azalea-red-wings-
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$15.95
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
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Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
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Cherry 'Lapins'

Lapins' Cherry is a highly regarded sweet cherry variety that produces heavy crops of large glossy dark red fruit with exceptional sweetness and...

From$340.69
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
A Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' tree.
Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves'

Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' is an ornamental pear admired for its vibrant autumn colour display. This deciduous tree produces lush green foliage through...

From$515.35
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' red and green spotted foliage.
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard'

Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' is a NZ native shrub that features striking foliage. The leaves are gold-green with dominant, deep red leopard spots. It...

From$136.04
grevillea-red-clusters-4
Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.
Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The...

From$20.01
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buddleia, Cherry, and Escallonia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Cherry Trees, and Perennials.

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Why Choose a Red Leaf Cherry Tree?

The red leaf cherry tree, commonly referred to as Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' or Purple Leaf Plum, brings unrivalled colour to the garden with its colourful leaves from spring through autumn. In early spring, delicate pale pink to white blossoms adorn the branches before the tree unfurls its trademark red foliage. The unique leaf colour persists throughout the warm months, offering a beautiful contrast to traditional green-leaved trees and complementing other colourful plants.

Gardeners love the red leaf cherry tree both for its beauty and its adaptability. It performs well in a variety of New Zealand climates, tolerates urban conditions, and suits gardens of all sizes, from compact courtyards to sprawling rural blocks.

Ideal Uses for the Red Leaf Cherry Tree

The red leaf cherry tree’s showy foliage makes it a favourite for feature planting. Position it as a stand-alone specimen or pair it with shrubs that accentuate its ruby tones. For example, companion plants like Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red add textural contrast and echo the rich hues, while silver-tinged options such as Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge) provide a stunning foil.

Red leaf cherry trees are also fantastic for creating informal screens or colourful avenues. Their medium size means they won’t overpower other garden elements, but they’re robust enough to stand alone. If you’re a fan of edible gardens, consider combining your red leaf cherry tree with fruiting options like Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry) for year-round interest and harvest.

How to Grow and Care for a Red Leaf Cherry Tree

Red leaf cherry trees thrive in full sun, where they develop their richest leaf colour. They prefer well-drained soil but are adaptable to a range of sites. When planting, dig a generous hole, loosen the soil, and mix in compost for best results. Although established trees are reasonably drought-tolerant, they’ll perform best with regular watering during dry spells.

Annual mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while a light prune after flowering will encourage a neat shape and healthy new growth. The red leaf cherry tree is relatively low maintenance and rarely troubled by pests or diseases. Keep an eye out for aphids in spring, and treat if necessary.

Combine with Complementary Plants

A well-designed garden layers colour and texture for lasting impact. For accentuating your red leaf cherry tree’s dramatic foliage, consider additions such as Cordyline Red Star with strappy red leaves or the massed floral display of Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'. Grouping two or more of these colour-rich plants can transform your garden into a vibrant, eye-catching oasis.

Ready to introduce a red leaf cherry tree to your landscape? Browse our recommended companion plants to create your ideal colourful retreat.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Love Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi'? Then you’ll adore the quiet charm of Magnolia 'Strawberry Fields', Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander), and Azalea 'Sadie Kirk'.
–The Plant Company

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