Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Eastern Redbud:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
-
Eastern Redbud is a low maintenance, ornamental flowering deciduous tree in the bean (Fabaceae) family. '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. It is often multi-trunked and used as an understory tree. It can be pruned or trained to be single-trunked.
The showy flowers appear in early spring and make excellent additions to cut arrangements. Works well planted in groups, near patios or hardscapes, along lawns, in woodland gardens, or behind shrub boarders. Eastern redbud is native to eastern and central North America. It is often found in woodlands, thickets, and dotted along rocky stream beds. More information on Cercis canadensis
It grows best in average soil in full sun or part shade. In areas that experience hot summers, some afternoon shade is appreciated. Provide regular moisture, but avoid areas where good drainage is not present. Choosing a permanent location for this tree is crucial, it does not do well when transplanted.
Propagation can be from seed or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in the summer months.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring, March-April Foliage: Fall
Wildlife Value: Nectar attracts hummingbirds. This tree is resistant to damage by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include Japanese beetles, tree hoppers, leaf hoppers, caterpillars, borers, web worms, 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Backyard Respite Landscape Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County Hydrangeas in the Garden Woodland Backyard Garden Walk Driveway Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The bark was boiled and used by Native Americans to treat whooping cough. The bark was also used as an astringent to treat dysentery. The inner bark and roots were used for vomiting, fevers and congestion. The flowers were fried and used as a food source.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and central North America
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are attracted to the flower nectar. The seeds are a food source for squirrels, songbirds and quail.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
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
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are followed by flattened dry bean pods (to 2-4” long) that mature to brown in summer. Each pod has 6-12 seeds. Pods may remain on the tree into winter.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Extremely showy rosy-pink-purple pea-like flowers explode from bare twigs in early spring before the trees leaf out. They bloom in clusters of up to 10 flowers.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Shimmering reddish/purple young foliage will fade in the late spring heat. The 2-4" leaves have a somewhat papery texture and a short point at the tip. Veins on the underside of the leaves are a deep maroon and the contrast to the light gray/green leaves is stunning. Leaves turn red to orange in the fall, providing a beautiful show.
-
-
Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin and can be damaged easily. They can droop as the tree grows and therefore may require trimming to maintain canopy clearance.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Eastern redbud is often multi-trunked.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Weak Wood
