Cercis canadensis 'Flame Thrower'
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis
- Description
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'Flame Thrower' is a cultivar of the native redbud tree in the bean (Fabaceae) family created by Dennis J. Werner of North Carolina State University. It is a cross of two cultivars, 'The Rising Sun (non-weeping, gold-leaf) and NC2006-14 (weeping, purple leaf). Patented under 'NC2016-2.'
'Flame Thrower' shows a slight pendant growth habit but is classified as non-weeping. Leaves show a dynamic transition of color change from the time of leaf emergence and throughout the growing season. Leaves emerge purple and quickly turn to red as they expand. As an individual leaf matures, it transitions from purple to red to reddish-bronze and ultimately yellow-green. Because all leaves are in different stages of development at any particular point in time, the tree displays a dynamic mix of colors, especially during stages of active growth. Maximal variable leaf color is expressed early to mid-season, and declines as summer temperatures increase after mid-July. Flowers are abundant, appearing in clusters in spring before leaf-out. The tree will grow 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide.
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 or understory tree. 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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. Caterpillars appear from February to May and have one flight. Bees will visit the flowers for nectar and pollen. Birds will eat the seeds
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 11 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- In summer through fall and even winter, this plant has green turning to brown, flat, oblong seedpods (with about 5-9 seeds per pod) which are about 2 to 4 inches long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pea-shaped light purple flowers appear in clusters in April before leaf-out and grow directly on new and old stems. Individual flowers are 1/2 inch across
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- 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 5.5 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. Leaves transition from purple to red to reddish-bronze and ultimately yellow-green. Attractive yellow fall color.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
