Cercis canadensis 'Pink Pom Poms'
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis
- Description
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'Pink Pom Poms' is a cultivar of the native redbud tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family. It is a naturally occurring cross of 'Flame' and possibly ‘Oklahoma’ found by Mr. Alex Neubauer of Hidden Hollow Nursery in Belvidere, TN. The seeds were sent to Dennis J. Werner, North Carolina State University for testing and development in 2005.
'Pink Pom Poms' produces a prolific amount of double reddish-purple sterile female flowers in the spring before leaf-out. The heart-shaped leaves are smaller, thicker, and glossier than those of ‘Flame’ and maintain an attractive appearance well into the growing season. This tree will grow to 13 feet tall and wide and possibly to 20 feet tall over time.
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, understory tree or mass plant for a delightful spring show of blooms. 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.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 13 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 13 ft. 0 in. - 20 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 Description:
- No fruits
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Fully double reddish-purple sterile female flowers in clusters grow directly on new and old stems before leaves emerge. The clusters resemble pom poms.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- 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 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. New growth has a reddish tint. 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:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
