Overview
Eastern redbud trees (Cercis canadensis) enrich garden landscapes with varieties of form, silhouettes and seasonal color. They are small ornamental flowering trees that belong to the pea family (Fabaceae /Leguminosae).
Cercis canadensis, the North American native species, beautifies spring landscapes with tiny magenta pea-like flowers that emerge on zigzag stems before heart-shaped leaves. Spring-blooming eastern redbud trees appear in understories of native woodlands like wisps of purple-red smoke. Yellow-to-golden-colored autumn leaves look in the distance like small yellow flags.
The ultimate height of Cercis canadensis can be as much as 20-to-30 feet with a spread of 25-to-35 feet. According to the National Register of Big Trees the National Champion eastern redbud is located in Wayne, MI with a circumference of 113 inches, height of 26 feet, and spread, 35 feet.
Landscape Uses
Eastern redbud cultivated varieties (cultivars) make great landscape design options. Modern cultivars can enrich gardens with year-round attention-grabbing forms and silhouettes. They also provide leaf and flower color choices. Eastern redbud trees provide picture perfect backdrops for spring and early summer-blooming bulbs and shrubs.
Specimen redbuds in residential, municipal, and commercial landscapes result from well-researched choices. They look best when backed by evergreen trees like pines. They also make excellent focal points when planted in groups of three, five or seven, or grouped with other spring-blooming plants in island beds. Smaller flowering eastern redbud cultivars are valuable in shrub borders for their early spring color.
Cultural Characteristics
- Plant hardiness growing zones: apparently range from 4 to 9. Trees grow near Minneapolis, MN and Orono, ME (both zones 4b). According to retired Professor Michael A.Dirr (U. of GA), seed source selection is crucial for obtaining reliable cold hardy trees. Plants grown from southern seed sources are not cold hardy in northern areas. Inquiry into provenance (source) of an eastern redbud is essential before selection and purchase.
- Sun and soil: crucial choices for thriving eastern redbuds.They flower best in full sun (zone 7 and north) to part shade in hot climates (zones 8 and 9). They thrive with regular and consistent moisture on well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil.
- Transplanting: a problem; plant when young and leave undisturbed. Think woodland edge to choose an optimum site for outstanding growth and flowers.
- Disease problems : few; may include canker, Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew and leaf blights.
- Insect pests: usually not a problem; may include tree hoppers, leaf hoppers, caterpillars, borers, webworms and scale.
Selected Cultivars
- 'Lavender Twist'™ ('Covey' PP10328): a small weeping specimen. Patio areas, small gardens, on slopes or cascading over walls.
- 'Forest Pansy' : red-purple leaves in early spring; mature to a subtle purple-gold hue. Flowers insignificant when compared to foliage.
- 'Alba' (AKA variety alba): striking for its pure white flowers. 'Dwarf White' is smaller, maturing at about 8-to-10 feet.
- 'Hearts of Gold' : intense yellow-gold leaves; mature to chartreuse by midsummer. Flowers pale lavender.
- 'Appalachian Red': rich red buds open to dark pink-red flowers; however, more purple than red.
Georgene A. Bramlage - Suite 101 Landscaping Feature Writer and Topic Editor Free-lance Garden and Landscape Writer and Consultant
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