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American Redbud Cercis canadensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cercis canadensis var. alba
  • Cercis dilatata
  • Siliquastrum canadense
Phonetic Spelling
SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis
Description

Eastern redbud is a deciduous, ornamental tree in the Fabaceae or pea family. It is native to eastern North America and may grow up to 20 or 30 feet tall. and 20-35 feet wide.  it is a smaller tree with a nearly flat or rounded crown that is often found growing beneath taller trees. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver's shuttle, 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. Sometimes called the Judas tree, from its oriental relative of that name,

The tree is pH adaptable and can tolerate full sun or part shade and moderately fertile clay or sandy soil. It does not tolerate heat or drought that can stress the tree or wet soils. It does not tolerate root disturbance, so plants should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible and should be kept well-watered until established. Because its branches tend to break, the tree should be sited in a relatively protected area. Regular watering, fertilization, and pruning out dead branches as needed will keep the tree vigorous.

Eastern redbud is a flowering tree that blooms before the leaves appear. In early spring, clusters of rose pink to light purple flowers mature and attract many pollinators including butterflies, and bees.  The plant holds great wildlife value as a larval host plant and the bean pod fruits provide food for songbirds.  

Plant this tree as a specimen in a pollinator garden, as an understory tree in a wooded landscape, in small groups, or mass planted for a dramatic springtime effect. It may also be planted as a street or lawn tree but is very sensitive to herbicides and chemicals sprayed on lawns.

Wildlife Value:  The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods. The seed may be consumed by birds. Members of the genus Cercis support the specialized bee Habropoda laboriosa.

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 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 landscapes:
Storage Cottage Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Mountain Ridge Top Garden - East Lawn and Lower Drive Border Pink and White Garden Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade Four-Season Garden Woodland Walk Sloped Front Yard
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Ace of Hearts', 'Alba', 'Appalachian Red', 'Avondale', 'Covey', 'Flame', 'Flame Thrower', 'Floating Clouds', 'Forest Pansy', 'Geralds Pink', 'Golden Falls', 'Hearts of Gold', 'JN2' The Rising Sun™, 'Lavendar Twist', 'Merlot', 'NCCC1', 'Pink Pom Poms', 'Rising Sun', 'Ruby Falls', 'Tennessee Pink', 'Texas White', 'Vanilla Twist', var. mexicana, var. orbiculata, var. texensis, 'White Pom Poms', 'Whitewater'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#edible plant#interesting bark#specimen#pink flowers#native tree#edible flowers#native shrub#low maintenance#spring flowers#winter interest#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#street tree#stream banks#specialized bees#fire low flammability#NC native#deer browsing plant#deer resistant#seed pods#fruits fall#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#flowers early spring#dried arrangements#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#understory planting#clay soils tolerant#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant early spring#partial shade tolerant#tsc-t#black walnut toxicity tolerant#woodland garden#henry’s elfin butterfly#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Ace of Hearts', 'Alba', 'Appalachian Red', 'Avondale', 'Covey', 'Flame', 'Flame Thrower', 'Floating Clouds', 'Forest Pansy', 'Geralds Pink', 'Golden Falls', 'Hearts of Gold', 'JN2' The Rising Sun™, 'Lavendar Twist', 'Merlot', 'NCCC1', 'Pink Pom Poms', 'Rising Sun', 'Ruby Falls', 'Tennessee Pink', 'Texas White', 'Vanilla Twist', var. mexicana, var. orbiculata, var. texensis, 'White Pom Poms', 'Whitewater'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#edible plant#interesting bark#specimen#pink flowers#native tree#edible flowers#native shrub#low maintenance#spring flowers#winter interest#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#street tree#stream banks#specialized bees#fire low flammability#NC native#deer browsing plant#deer resistant#seed pods#fruits fall#pollinator plant#Braham Arboretum#fantz#flowers early spring#dried arrangements#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#understory planting#clay soils tolerant#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant early spring#partial shade tolerant#tsc-t#black walnut toxicity tolerant#woodland garden#henry’s elfin butterfly#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cercis
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wood is heavy, hard, but not strong with little commercial value. The bark used as an astringent in treatment of dysentery, flowers eaten in salads or fried, Native Americans boiled the bark to make tea to treat whooping cough, roots and inner bark used for fevers, congestion, and vomiting.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central North America, NC to E. Mexico
    Distribution:
    New Mexico north to Nebraska, east to Michigan and Ontario, south through Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to Florida.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    12 species of Lepidoptera use this tree as a larval host plant. Leafcutter bees (such as Megachile rotundata) and other bees use this plant (as shown in a picture). Host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly. Butterflies and other insects nectar from the flowers. Caterpillars appear from February to May and have one flight. Adult Henry's Elfin butterflies feed on flower nectar. Songbirds and small mammals occasionally eat the seeds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer, black walnut, and clay soils
    Edibility:
    The flowers are edible and taste similar to peas. Contain high amounts of vitamin C.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    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
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Legume
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    By summer (after flowers) but possibly lasting through fall and even winter, this plant has green turning to brown, flat, oblong seedpods (with about 9 seeds per pod) which are about 2 to 4 inches long. The brown seed pods can look a little untidy hanging from the tree into the winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Conspicuous bright-red flowers bloom in early spring (around April) and are anywhere from pink to red to purple in color. Unlike many other plants, the flowers are seen before the leaves. Only about 1/2 inch wide and having about 7 flowers in a cluster, these flowers grow right on new stems as well as older branches. Pea-shaped flowers, borne in tight clusters on old wood, fascicled or racemous, often cauliflorous. Blooms from March to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    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. Attractive yellow fall color. Broadly cordate, acute, entire, lustrous dark green, 1.5 to 5 inches high and wide, 7 palmate veins extend from leaf base.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Brown
    Orange
    Surface/Attachment:
    Scaly
    Smooth
    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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Lenticels:
    Not Conspicuous
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Slender, glabrous, dark reddish brown to black, zig-zag, spreading and ascending; trunk usually divided close to ground.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Small groups
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Deer
    Fire
    Problems:
    Short-lived