Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Eastern Redbud:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
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A low maintenance, ornamental flowering deciduous tree in the bean (Fabaceae) family. 'Forest Pansy' is a purple-leaved cultivar that has attractive red-orange fall color. It is often multitrunked and used as an understory tree. 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
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, webworms, and scale. Canker can be a significant disease problem. Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew, and blights sometimes occur. Regular maintenace 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 Hydrangeas in the Garden Driveway Garden
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Very Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Seed Type: Pod Fruits follow and are 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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Extremely showy rosy-pink-purple pea-like flowers explode from bare twigs in early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are purplish-red, alternate, simple, cordate, broadly ovate to nearly orbicular, and 3-5” across. They have a somewhat papery texture and have a short point at the tip. Leaves turn red to orange in the fall.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
