Judas Tree Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Judas Tree:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
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‘Ruby Falls’ redbud is a compact, deciduous tree in the bean (Fabaceae) family. The parent plant is native to eastern and central North America, from North Carolina to east Mexico. This cultivar results from the work done at North Carolina State University. It is a second-generation descendant (2010) from a cross between Cercis canadensis 'Covey,' which is a weeping variety, and 'Forest Pansy,' which has purple foliage. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver's shuffle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver’s shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom.
‘Ruby Falls’ grows in a wide range of soils but prefers moderately fertile moist well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Allow 3 to 6 feet of space. It does not transplant well, so it should be planted young and left undisturbed. Pruning should be done after the tree has flowered to avoid removing the current season’s flowers.
Noted for its unique weeping habit, ‘Ruby Falls’ has dark maroon-red, heart-shaped leaves and profuse, pea-like, dark rose flowers that arrive before the foliage on bright red stems. During the latter part of the summer, the leaves turn from burgundy to green.
‘Ruby Falls’ is appropriate in most landscape locations, but the small stature of this tree makes it ideal for small gardens. Use it as a specimen or accent, in small groups or as a barrier, and as a small shade tree.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is relatively pest free. Disease issues can include canker, dieback, leaf spot, mildew, blight, and verticillium wilt. Although not typical, this tree can suffer from damage caused by deer.
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:
- Paul J Ciener Botanical 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):
- Ornamental
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods, the seed can be consumed by birds. Hummingbirds and butterflies are also attracted. Members of the genus Cercis support the specialized bee, Habropoda laboriosa.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Will tolerate clay soil, deer tolerant, black walnut tolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Cascading
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- 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:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a flat, oblong legume that can grow to up to 3". They ripen in the fall and can last through the winter months.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Profuse, pea-like, dark rose flowers that arrive before the foliage on bright red stems
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Velvety
- 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:
- Dark maroon-red, heart shaped leaves are held on pendulous branches. During summer the leaves turn from burgundy to green in late summer.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- A multi-stemmed
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Near Septic
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer