The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis and cvs.

SIR-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis Audio

Bright purplish-pink blooms are borne in clusters, before the leaves, along smooth gray branches. Heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze, turning green, then yellow in autumn. Cultivars are available with white ('Royal White') or pink flowers ('Tennessee Pink'), purple foliage ('Forest Pansy'), and weeping form ('Covey'). Grows 15 to 25 feet tall with a slightly wider spread.

CareSite in full sun or partial shade. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Fairly trouble-free.

PropagationRoot semi-ripe cuttings or bud selected clones in summer.

ProblemsStem cankers and verticillium wilt can occur.

  • Genus : Cercis
  • Plant Height : 15 to 30 feet
  • Plant Width : 15 to 30 feet
  • Zones : 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Bloom Time : Early Spring, Late Spring, Spring
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Moisture : Medium Moisture
  • Growth Rate : Moderate
  • Flower Color : Pink
  • Foliage Color : Purple/Burgundy
  • Characteristics : Showy Foliage
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
  • Plant Type : Trees

Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.

Start Free Trial

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide