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Redbud

Eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis)

Eastern redbud tree (Cercis canadensis)
Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), also called Judas tree, is an outstanding, deciduous ornamental tree in South Carolina. This is a small tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, with lavender-pink blossoms that open early in spring and are as colorful as any flowering spring tree in the landscape. It is adapted to all areas of South Carolina.

Mature Height/Spread

Redbuds always remain small, maturing at 20 to 30 feet in height and 15 to 35 feet in width. They generally grow as a small tree with a divided trunk close to the ground. The spreading crown is usually rounded to flat-topped. It can develop as a multi-trunk shrub. Redbuds growing in the sun will be compact and rounded; when grown in shade, their form is loose, open and tall.

Growth Rate

Redbuds grow at a moderate rate, about 7 to 10 feet in five to six years. They tend to be short-lived, often declining from disease after about 20 years.

Ornamental Features

The most appealing feature of this tree is the showy flower, which is magenta in bud, but opens to lavender-pink before the leaves emerge early in spring. The flowers appear in clusters that nearly cover the bare branches of the tree. They remain for two to three weeks. They usually appear in early spring after the

Eastern redbud flowers (Cercis canadensis).

Eastern redbud flowers (Cercis canadensis).
Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

white flowers of serviceberry and wild plum and before (and during) the white and pink flowers of the flowering dogwood. Although the flower of the species is lavender-pink, certain varieties and cultivars have white, magenta-pink or rosy pink flowers. The heart-shaped leaves are reddish as they emerge, and gradually turn dark green in summer. The fall color is yellow.

Cercis canadensis var. texensis (Texas redbud) and its cultivars are from warmer parts of the Southwest. These all have similar flowers, but thicker leaves and more heat tolerance. However, they are less cold hardy than the straight species of Eastern redbud (C. canadensis).

The fruit are long, flat pods (3 inches) which are produced from late summer into fall, and remain on the tree during winter. They become conspicuous in the fall when the leaves drop, and can sometimes be unsightly when mature.

Eastern redbud seed pods (Cercis canadensis).

Eastern redbud seed pods (Cercis canadensis).
Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Landscape Use

This tree is best used in naturalized areas, where the flowers are contrasted against evergreens or woodlands. It can be used as a specimen or in groupings in a shrub border.

Although the redbud does well in most soil types, it prefers moist, well-drained sites. It does not, however, like those that are permanently wet. It tolerates acid or alkaline soils. It grows well in full sun but prefers some shade in the heat of summer. Although it will grow in fairly dense shade, it blooms more heavily when exposed to sun. Redbuds tolerate moderate dry spells, but do better when irrigated in summer dry spells.

Transplant when very small, as they have difficulty surviving, transplant after the root system has developed.

As redbud is native to such a wide range of climates, it is important that you purchase a tree that was grown from locally harvested seed. Trees grown from seed collected from trees native to South Carolina will adapt to our climate. If the seed were collected from trees grown in the north, the tree may not withstand the heat of our summer.

When located near a walkway or patio, low branches must be pruned for clearance beneath the canopy. It can be trained to grow with a single or multiple trunks. Prune out dead branches.

Problems

Redbuds are very susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker and dieback on the branches. This is a fungal disease that enters twigs and branches, feeds on the living tissue below the bark, and spreads around the stem. Once it encircles the branch, the water supply beyond that point is cut off to the leaves. The branch will suddenly wilt and die. Redbuds that are under drought stress will more easily succumb to Botryosphaeria canker than a well-watered tree.

Apply mulch out as far as the drip line of the limbs. Mulch will keep the soil cooler and more evenly moist in the summer.  Pruning out the diseased branches and disposing of the cuttings will significantly help to reduce disease. Prune when the stems and foliage are dry. Cut the stem 6-8” below where any sunken, cracked or diseased area is, and disinfest the pruners between cuts with a spray of rubbing alcohol on the pruners. Water the plants well weekly. Fertilize them during the spring at six- week intervals with a slow-release tree & shrub fertilizer.

Wounds created by pruning or mechanical injury serve as entry points for the fungus that infects the wood and causes cankers. Avoid wounding to minimize susceptibility to this disease. There are no fungicides to control Botryosphaeria canker.

Insects such as granulate ambrosia beetle, black twig borer, treehoppers, caterpillars, scales and leafhoppers can also cause damage.

Upright Cultivars & Varieties

  • ‘Forest Pansy’ (PP#22,297) ̶  This is one of the earliest and most popular cultivars. It has deep burgundy foliage that loses its intense color in the heat of summer, becoming almost bronze Flowers are more rose purple than the species and open a little later. From NCSU).
  • ‘Merlot’ (PP#22,297) – Semi-upright habit with deep wine-red, thick foliage and heat tolerance. A hybrid of ‘Forest Pansy’ (purple foliage) and ‘Texas White’ (var. texensis). Cultivar has a dense, semi-upright habit and magenta-pink blooms. Cultivar grows to 12 to 15 feet tall and wide. Flowers are lavender-pink. Released by NCSU. Retention of purple leaf color in summer is similar to ‘Forest Pansy’.
  • ‘Ace of Hearts’ (PP#17,161) – Similar to species except flower color is much pinker. A compact tree that grows to 12 feet tall.
  • ‘Hearts of Gold’ (PP#17,740) ̶  Spring foliage is intense golden-yellow and gradually changes to chartreuses as the summer advances. More golden foliage in full sun. Grows to 15 feet tall with a vase-shaped habit. Cultivar has reddish-purple flowers; seedpods are rarely produced.
  • Carolina Sweetheart™ (‘NCCC1’; PP#27,712) – Following the pink flowers of spring, the foliage of this cultivar emerges rich maroon, and slowly change to shades of white, green, and hot pink. All leaves eventually turn green in summer with dusted white margins. Grows to 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide. From NCSU.
  • ‘Pink Pom Poms’ (PP#27,630) – This double flowered redbud is a hybrid of the double flowered ‘Flame’ Eastern redbud and ‘Oklahoma’ Texas redbud. The resulting cross has thick, glossy green foliage and dark pink-purple, double pom pom-like flowers. The cultivar is also sterile, so no seedpods are made.
  • The Rising Sun™ (‘JN2’; PP#21,451) – Foliage emerges rosy apricot, turns apricot-peach, gradually becomes golden yellow, and finally matures a bright green. Cultivar grows to 8 to 12 feet tall with a 12- to 15-foot spread. Flowers are pinkish purple.
  • ‘Alley Cat’ (PPAF) – Its leaves are green with white variegation. Grows to 20 feet tall and wide. Foliage is scorch resistant and does not revert to green. A selection from Kentucky.
  • ‘Appalachian Red’ Blooms are fuchsia-pink to red. Cultivar grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. Very floriferous and blooms later than most other cultivars. A University of Tennessee release.
  • form alba – This is a white-flowered form that occurs somewhat frequently in nature. The foliage is a lighter green than the species and new growth is yellow-green. Comes true to type from seed if isolated from cross-pollination by the pink-flowered redbuds. Grows to 15 to 25 feet tall and wide.
  • ‘Royal White’ ̶  This cultivar has larger and more abundant flowers and a more compact form than the naturally occurring white form alba. Introduced by University of Illinois.
  • texensis ‘Texas White’ ̶  Glossy thick leaves and white flowers. Grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and may have multiple trunks. Cold hardy to USDA zone 6.
  • var. texensis ‘Oklahoma’ – Glossy thick leaves and lavender-pink flowers. Grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and may have multiple trunks. Cold hardy to USDA zone 6.

 

New reddish-purple foliage on ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud (Cercis canadensis).

New reddish-purple foliage on ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud (Cercis canadensis). Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Purple-leafed ‘Merlot’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Merlot’).

Purple-leafed ‘Merlot’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Merlot’). Photo by Dennis Werner, ©2013 NC State University

‘Merlot’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Merlot’) in bloom.

‘Merlot’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Merlot’) in bloom. Photo by Dennis Werner, ©2013 NC State University

‘Ace of Hearts’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) in bloom.

‘Ace of Hearts’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) in bloom. Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2013 HGIC, Clemson Extension

‘Ace of Hearts’ (Cercis canadensis) redbud flowers.

‘Ace of Hearts’ (Cercis canadensis) redbud flowers. Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2013 HGIC, Clemson Extension

‘Hearts of Gold’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) showing chartreuse foliage.

‘Hearts of Gold’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) showing chartreuse foliage. Photo by Karen Russ, ©2010 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Carolina Sweetheart™ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’) has foliar variegation with various shades of white, green, and hot pink.

Carolina Sweetheart™ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘NCCC1’) has foliar variegation with various shades of white, green, and hot pink. Photo by Tom Ranney, ©2016 NC State University

‘Pink Pom Poms’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Pink Pom Poms’) is an improved redbud with ull double blooms.

‘Pink Pom Poms’ redbud (Cercis x ‘Pink Pom Poms’) is an improved redbud with ull double blooms. Dennis Werner, ©2016 NC State University

White-flowered redbud (Cercis canadensis var. alba).

White-flowered redbud (Cercis canadensis var. alba). Photo by Karen Russ, ©2010 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Weeping Cultivars

  • texensis ‘Traveler’ – A selection with a broad mound shape and weeping (gracefully arching) branches. New leaves emerge coppery green, then become dark and glossy green; flowers are lavender-pink. Grows to 5 feet tall and 5 to 12 feet wide. Fruit set has not been observed.
  • ‘Covey’ (Lavender Twist™; PP#10,328) ̶  A weeping form with arching branches that creates an umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves are a rich green, and fall color is golden yellow. Grows to 5 to 6 feet tall with a 6- to 8-foot spread.
  • ‘Ruby Falls’ (PP#22,097) – Has a unique combination of dwarf, weeping growth habit and purple foliage. A hybrid of ‘Covey’ (weeping habit) and ‘Forest Pansy’ (purple foliage). By mid-summer, leaves change to a bronzy green. This compact weeping selection grows to 6 to 8 feet tall with a 5- to 6-foot spread. Released by NCSU.
  • Whitewater (‘NC2007-8’; PP#23,998) ̶  Leaves emerge mostly white, then become variegated white and green, and plant has a weeping growth habit. A hybrid of ‘Silver Cloud’ (variegated foliage) and ‘Covey’ (weeping habit). Flowers are a deep rose-purple. Cultivar grows to 8 feet tall with a 6-foot spread.
  • ‘Pink Heartbreaker®’ (PP#23,043) – This cultivar has a weeping habit and green foliage. Grows to 8 to 10 feet tall with a 10 to 15 foot spread. Profuse lavender-pink flowers. Introduced in Pennsylvania. Limited seed pod production.
  • Vanilla Twist™ (PP#22,744) – Weeping habit with green foliage and white flowers. A hybrid between ‘Royal White’ (white flowers) and ‘Covey’ (weeping habit). Grows to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Grows to 12 feet tall with an 8-foot spread.

‘Whitewater’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) with weeping growth habit and variegated foliage.

‘Whitewater’ redbud (Cercis canadensis) with weeping growth habit and variegated foliage. Photo by Dennis Werner, ©2013 NC State University

‘Traveler’ weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)

‘Traveler’ weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

‘Lavender Twist’ weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis).

‘Lavender Twist’ weeping redbud (Cercis canadensis). Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

‘Ruby Falls’ (Cercis x ‘Ruby Falls’) weeping redbud with purple foliage.

‘Ruby Falls’ (Cercis x ‘Ruby Falls’) weeping redbud with purple foliage. Photo by Dennis Werner, ©2013 NC State University

Related Species

  • Chinese redbud (C. chinensis) ̶ This is a small, multi-stemmed shrub that grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Its rosy purple flowers are showier and more profuse than Eastern Redbud. Leaves are also thicker.
  • Giant redbud (C. gigantea) – From China. Foliage is glossy and dark green. Leaves are 6 to 8 inches across. Grows to 15 to 20 feet tall.

Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis) in bloom.

Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis) in bloom. Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2011 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Giant redbud (Cercis gigantea) in bloom.

Giant redbud (Cercis gigantea) in bloom. Photo by Joey Williamson, ©2012 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Note: Chemical control of diseases and insects on large trees is usually not feasible since adequate coverage of the foliage with a pesticide cannot be achieved.

Originally published 06/99

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.

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