Redbud Cercis canadensis var. canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Redbud:
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis vah-RYE-eh-tee kan-ah-DEN-sis
- Description
-
Cercis canadensis var. canadensis or eastern redbud is a native to NC, usually found as an understory tree in mixed forests. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil in part shade to part sun; however, the eastern redbud has proven to be very adaptable to different soils, full sun, and dry areas. If grown in wet soils it is prone to root rot.
The eastern redbud is most well known for its beautiful flowers early in the spring. The heart-shaped leaves and zigzagging young stems give it a distinct appearance among trees. It is a great choice as a small tree for tight spaces.
In addition to the cultivars listed below. See these varieties
- Cercis canadensis var. texensis 'Oklahoma' (Oklahoma Redbud)
- Cercis canadensis var. Mexicana (Mexican Redbud)
References:
Dirr, M.A., (1998), Manual of Woody Landscape Plants Fifth Edition, pgs 253-259.
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ceca4
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Ace of Hearts'
- 'Alba'
white flowers - 'Appalachian Red'
hot pink flowers - 'Covey'
weeping habit - 'Flame'
double flowers, seedless - 'Floating Clouds'
variegated green/white foliage
'Forest Pansy'
- 'Greswan'
purple foliage - 'Hearts of Gold'
golden foliage
'Merlot"
- 'Pinkbud'
- 'Rising Sun'
golden foliage with orange overtones in new growth
'Ruby Falls'
- 'Silver Cloud'
variegated green/white foliage - 'Tom Thumb'
miniature foliage
'Whitewater'
- 'Wither's Pink Charm'
purple foliage, pink flowers
Gold/Yellow flowers 'NCCC1' PPAF
New leaves emerge purple, but over time, gain various shades of white, green, and hot pink. Leaves turn green in summer.
weeping with purple foliage
weeping with variegated green and white foliage - 'Ace of Hearts'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ace of Hearts'
- 'Alba'
white flowers - 'Appalachian Red'
hot pink flowers - 'Covey'
weeping habit - 'Flame'
double flowers, seedless - 'Floating Clouds'
variegated green/white foliage
'Forest Pansy'
- 'Greswan'
purple foliage - 'Hearts of Gold'
golden foliage
'Merlot"
- 'Pinkbud'
- 'Rising Sun'
golden foliage with orange overtones in new growth
'Ruby Falls'
- 'Silver Cloud'
variegated green/white foliage - 'Tom Thumb'
miniature foliage
'Whitewater'
- 'Wither's Pink Charm'
purple foliage, pink flowers
Gold/Yellow flowers 'NCCC1' PPAF
New leaves emerge purple, but over time, gain various shades of white, green, and hot pink. Leaves turn green in summer.
weeping with purple foliage
weeping with variegated green and white foliage - 'Ace of Hearts'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- canadensis var. canadensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods, the seed can be consumed by birds. Leafcutter bees use the leaves to line their nests. Members of the genus Cercis support the following specialized bee: Habropoda laboriosa.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape.
- Edibility:
- This plant is a member of Fabaceae, the same family that peas belong to. Some parts of this plant are edible, for example, the flowers taste like peas and make an excellent addition to a spring salad. It is said that people in the Appalachian Mountains use young stems to season venison while cooking.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 2-3 in. brown seed pods borne in clusters
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Reddish-purple, rosy-pink pea-like flowers emerge in clusters before the foliage in early spring directly on stems and trunk.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-5 in. alternate, simple, cordate leaf; yellow to yellowish orange fall color; cultivars include purple, golden and variegated foliage types
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Cercis canadensis var. canadensis is often confused with:
-
Cercis chinensis
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
-
Cornus florida
-
Ilex verticillata
-
Hibiscus syriacus
- Cercis canadensis var. canadensis has some other problems:
- White-Tailed Deer
