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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees
Cercis canadensis
redbud
Fabaceae
Eastern North America from New Jersey to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas
At a Glance
TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Width25-35 feet (7.5-10.5 m)
Maturity12 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
4 - 9Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Pollinators
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow
Overview
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) is a small to medium deciduous tree native to eastern North America, producing one of the most spectacular early spring flowering displays available to Pacific Northwest gardeners. Reaching 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall and 25–35 feet (7.5–10.5 m) wide in a broad, rounded to vase-shaped crown with low branching, the tree blooms in March through April before the leaves emerge: hundreds of small pea-like magenta-pink flowers 0.4–0.5 inch (10–12 mm) long emerge in dense clusters directly from the bark of branches and even the main trunk — a botanical phenomenon called cauliflory. The massed flower display against bare bark is dramatic and unmistakable. After flowering, heart-shaped leaves 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) across emerge with a reddish tinge, mature to clean blue-green, and turn clear yellow in fall. Flat, papery, bean-like pods 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long develop in summer and persist into winter. Cercis canadensis performs well in PNW zone 7–8 lowlands and has Great Plant Picks endorsement. Best flowering requires adequate summer warmth; consistently cool coastal sites below zone 7 may produce reduced bloom. The tree is susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker and Verticillium wilt; good drainage and avoiding drought stress are the best preventive measures. Cankers appear as sunken, discolored bark areas, usually on stressed trees.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America from New Jersey south to northern Florida and west to Nebraska and Texas. Found naturally in forest understory, woodland margins, and stream banks. Widely planted as an ornamental well beyond its native range. Great Plant Picks endorsed for Pacific Northwest gardens.Suggested Uses
Grown as a small to medium specimen tree in residential gardens, woodland gardens, and mixed borders where the spectacular early spring bloom on bare wood is the principal feature. The horizontal branching pattern and attractive heart-shaped foliage provide summer and winter interest. Effective planted against dark evergreen backgrounds that showcase the magenta-pink spring flowers. Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens in zone 7 and warmer. The relatively small mature size suits residential gardens better than most flowering trees. Provides early spring nectar for native bumblebees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread25' - 35'
Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years
Colors
Flower Colors
pink
purple
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
yellow
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
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Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
magenta-pinkFoliage Description
reddish-tinged emerging in spring; blue-green in summer; yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Soil Requirements
pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandsilt
Drainage
well drained
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
10-15 years
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil — good drainage is critical; waterlogged conditions promote Verticillium wilt and Botryosphaeria canker, the two principal disease concerns. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.5). Water regularly during establishment; once established, moderately drought-tolerant. Avoid planting in cold, frost-pocket sites — late frosts in late March through April can damage or destroy the flower buds, which emerge before the leaves. In PNW coastal areas below zone 7, reliable heavy flowering may be inconsistent due to insufficient summer heat accumulation. Best flowering occurs on trees in full sun in well-drained sites with adequate summer warmth. Watch for Botryosphaeria cankers (sunken dark patches on branches) — prune out affected wood 6–8 inches below the visible margin and disinfect pruning tools between cuts.Pruning
Prune after flowering (April through May) or in summer — avoid late fall through winter pruning, which increases susceptibility to canker diseases. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Redbuds have a naturally attractive multi-branched form requiring minimal corrective pruning. When pruning canker-affected wood, cut 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) below the visible discoloration and sterilize pruning tools between cuts with isopropyl alcohol or 10% bleach solution. Avoid large wounds on major limbs.Pruning Schedule
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late springsummer