Eastern Redbud

©2010 begin with a Sunny Outlook

The Eastern Redbud, along with other flowering trees are a treat to see each spring. This is a tree that brightens up any yard with its profusion of blossoms. A beautiful tree can increase the value of your home, as well.

The buds are as beautiful as the flowers

The Eastern Redbud, is native to the forests of the eastern United States; in naturalized settings, Redbuds can be seen growing at the edge of a woodland as an understory tree. It's a favorite here at 'a Sunny Outlook'; maybe it has already become a favorite of yours, also!

Botanical/Common Name: Cercis canadensis/ Eastern Redbud – Available in various varieties for flower color and habit

Flower: various shades of pinks from pale to magenta, and varieties that have pure white blossoms (i.e. “Alba’); blooms are borne directly on stem, even on the trunk, before the leaves appear, so the blooms are not hidden; if you favor a particular color, buy the tree in the spring when the tree is in bloom so you can see the actual color; blooms March to May depending on region of the country

Bark: Smooth dark brown to gray to black bark which contrasts nicely with the spring blooms; with age, bark has shallow furrows with interesting texture

Fruit: Small ( 2”– 4” length) slender, reddish-brown pods develop in clusters by mid-summer and last until after fall, but are fairly well hidden by the Redbuds large leaf size; since the pods are small they normally are not a nuisance

Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9

Size and Habit: takes on a very picturesque rounded, broad shape; small to medium mature height (20’ to 30’); can grow 12” to 18” annually

Where to Plant: Adaptable to many soil types, but likes a moist soil (not permanently wet), well-drained soil; plant in full sun to partial shade

Ways to Use: use in multi-stem (many branches growing from one trunk near the soil) or clump (typically, 3 separate trees planted together and bought as one plant) forms; these forms inhibit the tree(s) from reaching their full mature height thereby maintaining a smaller, perhaps more graceful appearance; use as a specimen at an entrance walkway; brighten up a corner area of the backyard; plant multiple single trunk Redbuds along a white classic post and rail fence if you have a lot of space (a great look if you have a horse farm)

Showy in a lawn setting

Special Notes: distinctive heart-shape medium to large size leaf; in full foliage it is effective as a screen; don’t make the mistake of planting an ornamental tree too close to a structure or a high use area, thinking it’s the perfect spot – even though ornamentals tend to be a smaller plant (and it may be quite small at the time you plant it), they can get much larger, out grow its space, and actually detract from what could be a beautiful setting, so you need to think ahead in regard to its future size.

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