Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Eastern redbud is a low maintenance, ornamental, flowering, deciduous tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family that is native to central and eastern North America. It is often found in woodlands and thickets or dotted along rocky stream beds. 'Forest Pansy' is a purple-leaved cultivar that has an attractive red-orange fall color. The cultivar name arises from its attractive pansy-like flowers. 

‘Forest Pansy’ grows best in average soil in full sun or part shade though it can withstand heavy clay soils. In areas that experience hot summers, some afternoon shade is appreciated. Provide regular moisture, but avoid areas where good drainage is not present. Although often multitrunked and used as an understory tree, it can be pruned or trained to be single trunked. Choosing a permanent location for this tree is crucial, as it does not do well when transplanted.

The showy flowers appear in early spring and make excellent additions to cut arrangements.  The tree works well in the landscape when planted in groups, near patios or hardscapes, along lawns, in woodland gardens, or behind shrub borders.  This small tree is resistant to browsing by deer and can be planted near black walnut trees.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include Japanese beetles, treehoppers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, borers, webworms, and scale. Canker can be a significant disease problem. Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew, and blights sometimes occur. Regular maintenance through proper watering and fertilization and by pruning out dead branches as needed will mitigate most of these problems.

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.