Vesuvius is a Flowering Plum tree with purple foliage that is very similar to Thundercloud in appearance, but notably more tolerant of heat, drought and warm climates. Boasting an incredibly fast growth rate and resilience to the challenges of growing in hot climates, Vesuvius is becoming to the lower states what Thundercloud already is in the North, the most popular and widely purple-leaved tree. As it requires virtually no maintenance after planting, grows incredibly fast and provides instant contrast with its uniquely rich color, there are almost too many applications for the Vesuvius Flowering Plum to list. Its also hard to overstate the effect of the powerful candied fragrance emitted by the soft pink Vesuvius flowers which bloom by the hundreds across the limbs before any foliage emerges. The precisely oval canopy is further enhanced by midnight-violet foliage throughout the summer, making it ideal for a contrast of color amidst green landscapes. The Vesuvius Flowering Plum, botanical name Prunus cerasifera Krauter Vesuvius, is suited to USDA zones 4-9 with full sun and it reaches a height/spread of 15 ft. to 20 ft. For a splash of midnight-violet color in a sea of green landscapes, the Vesuvius Flowering Plum is the ultimate solution. With an incredibly fast growth rate, powerful candied fragrance of the light pink blossoms and almost no maintenance required, its hard to imagine a need in a landscape that Vesuvius cannot fulfill.