Eastern Redbuds are springtime favorites, thanks to bright and cheerful rosy pink to magenta blooms. Tight buds crowd along their bare branches, and sometimes along the trunks, bursting into bloom before the leaves emerge. In many parts of the country, they lead a second wave of color in the spring flower parade. As the early-blooming flowering cherries fade, Redbuds fill the void and color the landscape along with magnolias, crabapples, and serviceberries.
This North American native tree is a source of double delight, thanks to heart-shaped foliage that unfurls after the flowers fade. Summer foliage is typically medium green, and fall color is yellow. In addition to brightening the early spring landscape with their ephemeral blooms, redbuds provide great support for bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Their early and prolific blooms are a welcome addition to the pollinator banquet table. Eastern Redbud and cultivars are highly rated (four stars!) in University of Kentucky studies, as noted on this Plants bees like best chart.
Bloom times vary according to climate zone, with flowers appearing from March to early April in the South, and about a month later in the northern reaches of its native range. We currently grow 15 cultivars in addition to the species, which we grow in single and multi-stem forms. The native species and some of our favorites are described below.
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
While this popular North American native species is experiencing a “cultivar boom” of sorts, the seed-grown species continues to be very popular as a street-tough urban tree as well as a cheerful ornamental for private gardens and commercial landscapes. Multi-stem forms planted along a woodland edge lend an informal, naturalized look to the landscape.
Adaptable to a wide range of climates, soils and growing conditions, they provide a bright pop of early spring color while most trees are still dormant. Mature height and spread of this USDA Zone 5 tree are approximately 25’ x 30’
Per Michael Dirr and Keith Warren in The Tree Book, “Without equivocation, one of the best small flowering native trees, truly a harbinger of spring.”
Merlot Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’ PP 22297
A tryst between the popular purple-foliaged Forest Pansy and the tough, heat-tolerant Texas White Redbud produced this lovable cultivar. Magenta rose flowers brighten the darkest spring days. Blooms are followed by glossy, deep purple leaves that hold their color remarkably well before turning bronze-purple in late summer. Fall color is yellow.
A top performer from the Redbud breeding program of Dr. Dennis Werner of North Carolina State University, its glossy purple leaves are more heat resistant and hold their color in late summer better than its widely planted parent, Forest Pansy. Rated hardy through USDA Zone 6, it grows somewhat wider than tall to a height and spread of 18’ x 20’.
Pink Pom Poms Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Pink Pom Poms’ PP 27630
Vivid pink, double-petaled flowers are borne in dense clusters along the upright branches of this vigorous and symmetrical tree. They celebrate springtime with their bright display and because they are sterile, do not produce seed or seed pods. Blooms are soon followed by heart-shaped, glossy green leaves that turn to rich yellow in autumn.
A more upright growth habit than is typical of the species suggests a bright future as a street tree and small garden tree. Dr. Dennis Werner of North Carolina State University developed this unique hybrid by crossing the double-flowered Flame Redbud with the heat and drought-tolerant Oklahoma Redbud. Mature height and spread of this USDA Zone 6b tree is approximately 20’ x 15’.
Oklahoma Redbud
Cercis texensis ‘Oklahoma’
Selected for its dark wine-red flowers and thick, glossy green foliage, this resilient redbud performs well in areas where summers are hot and winters are cold. New growth is red-tipped and rich looking. Shiny dark green leaves are the most heat resistant of the redbud cultivars, a trait inherited by its very successful offspring, Pink Pom Poms Redbud. Branching is upright and spreading as the tree matures to a rounded shape, about 20’ x 25’. Hardiness is USDA Zone 5.
Pink Heartbreaker Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Pink Heartbreaker’ PP 23043
Lavender pink flower clusters cling tightly to the weeping branches of this vigorous, heat and drought tolerant cultivar. Spring growth flushes red and matures to dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Fall color is yellow. Form is wider spreading and more irregular in branch habit than that of the well-known and widely planted Lavender Twist®. It is also reputed to be more vigorous and more heat and drought tolerant than this popular selection. Mature height and spread of this Zone 5 ornamental tree are approximately 12’ x 8’.
Northern Herald® Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Pink Trim’
Bright pink blooms herald spring in harsh winter climates, thanks to this unusually cold hardy selection discovered in central South Dakota and collaboratively introduced by Plantsman Greg Morgenson and North Dakota State University. Observed for more than 40 years, the parent tree continues to thrive in its USDA Zone 4 landscape. Pea-like flower clusters that crowd winter-bare branches are followed by heart-shaped, dark green leaves. Leathery, heat resistant and wind tolerant, foliage turns bright yellow in autumn. A detailed description is found on the NDSU Research Foundation site, which also notes that “fruit (pod) set is markedly reduced from the species norm.”
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
