Eastern Redbud Forest Pansy
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'
This award-winning cultivar transforms the traditional redbud with stunning heart-shaped leaves that emerge deep burgundy-red and mature to rich purple throughout the season. In early spring, magenta-pink flowers bloom directly from the branches and trunk before the leaves appear, creating a magical display that's enhanced by the colorful foliage that follows. Forest Pansy offers the perfect combination of spectacular spring flowers and unique colored foliage that provides interest all season long.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
20-30 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Eastern Redbud Forest Pansy in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 ornamental-tree →Zone Map
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Eastern Redbud Forest Pansy · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet, 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Ace of Hearts', 'Alba', 'Appalachian Red', Carolina Sweetheart™, Cercis canadensis subsp. mexicana, Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis, 'Covey', 'Flame', Flame Thrower®, 'Floating Clouds', 'Forest Pansy', 'Geralds Pink', Golden Falls®, 'Hearts of Gold', 'Lavendar Twist', 'Merlot', 'Pink Pom Poms', 'Ruby Falls', 'Tennessee Pink', The Rising Sun™ 'JN2', 'Vanilla Twist', 'White Pom Poms', 'Whitewater'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
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.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Legume. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: The flowers are edible and taste similar to peas. Contain high amounts of vitamin C.
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern and central North America, NC to E. Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Compaction, Deer, Fire
- +Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators, Specialized Bees
- +Edible: The flowers are edible and taste similar to peas. Contain high amounts of vitamin C.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in the dappled shade provided by redbud canopy, complementary foliage textures
Coral Bells
Tolerates partial shade, adds colorful foliage that complements purple leaves
Astilbe
Enjoys filtered light and moist soil conditions under tree canopy
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in shade and add textural contrast
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that naturalizes well under redbud trees
Bleeding Heart
Shade-loving perennial that blooms before full leaf-out, extending garden interest
Caladium
Colorful shade foliage plant that echoes the redbud's ornamental leaf qualities
Japanese Painted Fern
Silver foliage provides striking contrast to purple redbud leaves
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can stunt or kill redbud trees
Large Pine Trees
Create too dense shade and acidic soil conditions unfavorable to redbuds
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby trees and plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, some canker susceptibility
Common Pests
Leafhoppers, caterpillars, scale insects
Diseases
Canker, leaf anthracnose, verticillium wilt