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Cercis canadensis 'Pink Pom Poms'

Phonetic Spelling
SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis
Description

'Pink Pom Poms' is a cultivar of the native redbud tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family. It is a naturally occurring cross of 'Flame' and possibly ‘Oklahoma’ found by Mr. Alex Neubauer of Hidden Hollow Nursery in Belvidere, TN. The seeds were sent to Dennis J. Werner, North Carolina State University for testing and development in 2005.

'Pink Pom Poms' produces a prolific amount of double reddish-purple sterile female flowers in the spring before leaf-out. The heart-shaped leaves are smaller, thicker, and glossier than those of ‘Flame’ and maintain an attractive appearance well into the growing season. This tree will grow to 13 feet tall and wide and possibly to 20 feet tall over time.

Redbuds will grow in full sun to part shade, are pH tolerant and do well in moist average well-draining soils. Use as a specimen, accent, understory tree or mass plant for a delightful spring show of blooms. Great for small yards. Redbuds in general do not transplant well so choose your site carefully.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include leafhoppers, caterpillars, borers, Japanese beetles, treehoppers, scale, and webworms. Possible diseases include canker, dieback, leaf spots, verticillium wilt, blights, and mildew. It can be a short-lived tree, typically living less than 75 years.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Cercis canadensis.

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Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#specimen#pink flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#understory tree#mass planting#nci#showstopper#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#host plant#full sun#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small tree#specimen#pink flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#understory tree#mass planting#nci#showstopper#deciduous tree#partial shade tolerant#host plant#full sun#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cercis
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    12 species of Lepidoptera use this tree as a larval host plant. Host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 13 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 13 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fully double reddish-purple sterile female flowers in clusters grow directly on new and old stems before leaves emerge. The clusters resemble pom poms.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple, alternate heart-shaped leaves, 3 to 5 inches long and wide, with smooth, entire margins. Bases are cordate, acute apex, with swelling on petioles just underneath the leaf plate. 7 palmate veins extend from the leaf base. New growth has a reddish tint. Attractive yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Brown
    Orange
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Bark Description:
    Dark brown to black with orange inner bark that can be visible. Smooth when young, but developing long, narrow plates that separate into scales as the tree matures.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Slender, glabrous, dark reddish brown to black, zig-zag, spreading and ascending.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer