Cercis canadensis 'Golden Falls'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis
- Description
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'Golden Falls' is a cultivar of the native redbud tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family. It was created by Dennis J. Werner of North Carolina State University by crossing two cultivars, 'Covey' (weeping, green leaf) and 'Hearts of Gold' (non-weeping, gold leaf) to create a weeping gold-leaf tree. Patented as 'NC2015-12'.
'Golden Falls' shows a distinct weeping growth habit with tree height being dictated by tree pruning and training practices. Typically, the central leader of the tree is trained to a support stake in the production nursery to a prescribed height, usually around 5-6 feet, at which point the growth past this height, and all lateral shoots will immediately demonstrate weeping behavior.
The leaves are yellow-green (gold) with maximum leaf color being expressed early to mid-season, and declines as summer temperatures increase after mid-July Flowers are produced abundantly in spring before leaf-out and are light purple in color.
Redbuds will grow in full sun to part shade, are pH tolerant and do well in moist average well-draining soils. Use this dramatic tree as a specimen, accent or in small areas as patios or even containers. Redbuds in general do not transplant well so choose your site carefully.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally few 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 plant, 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
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- 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: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Erect
- Weeping
- 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:
- 3 feet-6 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:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- 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:
- Light purple pea-like flowers occur in clusters before leaf-out in April and grow directly on new and old stems. Individual flowers are about 1/2 inch across.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- 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 are a gold color and change to green in the hot summer months. 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, pendulous stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
