Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
A stunning native shade tree that announces spring with masses of bright pink-purple flowers blooming directly from its branches and trunk. The distinctive heart-shaped leaves provide beautiful yellow fall color, and its moderate size makes it perfect for residential landscapes where you want maximum impact without overwhelming the space.
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 in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Eastern Redbud · 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
Hostas
Thrives in partial shade created by redbud, complementary foliage textures
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that tolerates redbud's shade and shares similar soil preferences
Coral Bells
Shade-tolerant perennial with colorful foliage that complements redbud's spring flowers
Astilbe
Enjoys filtered light under redbud canopy, adds texture with feathery plumes
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in redbud's dappled shade
Azaleas
Both prefer acidic soil and partial shade, blooming seasons complement each other
Violets
Native groundcover that naturalizes well under redbud's canopy
Dogwood
Similar growing conditions and native woodland habitat preferences
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can stunt or kill redbud trees
Norway Maple
Dense shade and shallow roots compete aggressively with redbud
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Large mature size can overwhelm and shade out smaller redbud
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, some susceptibility to canker
Common Pests
Scale insects, caterpillars, Japanese beetles
Diseases
Canker, leaf spot, verticillium wilt