The Eastern Red Bud Tree - Eastern Redbud Trees

As the sun warms the earth, more and more bulbs awaken and bloom. Suddenly the buds of flowering trees also begin to show a hint of color. Then they burst spontaneously into bloom one warm morning, dressing the garden in springs finery. Larger than shrubs and bushes, flowering trees often are the focal point of a spring garden. They can define the perimeter of the yard or simply highlight a location as a specimen in the lawn.

Among the first flowering trees to bloom is the Eastern Redbud or Cercis canadensis. Although most Redbuds only get 20-30 feet high, some can get as wide as they are tall. This native tree is quite a spreader, but still gives rather delicate appearance in the landscape.

The flowers are a deep reddish purple in bud, but they open to a rosy-pink in April, often lasting at least 3 weeks if the weather is cool. The plants like a moist, but well drained woodsy soil, with lots of leaf mold or humus in it. Sun or part shade both work well and will produce heavy blooms. However, if the tree is planted in the deep shade the blooms will be fewer, but there will be some. Even though Redbuds look very nice as a single specimen tree they are also a natural as a grouping in a boarder or woodland setting.

Although this plant is listed in the Dirr Manual of Woody Landscape Plants as good in zones 4-9, it isn't always seen far north of here. This native woodland beauty is very noticeable on route 95 between here and the Washington area.

The blooms, appearing before the leaves, begin more reddish than pink, hence the name. Sometimes starting in March and going well into April, this year they are later than the last few years. Our son Joe told us that the blooms are edible and just recently added theses delicious morsels to a salad. The leaves of the Redbud are somewhat heart-shaped and some varieties start out with a purple glow. They are a nice green all summer and turn a pale yellow in the fall.

In summary, Redbud trees are rather easy to grow and can be planted anytime if they are previously dug and balled and burlapped. They will thrive in most soils as long as it is not constantly wet and do well here in a variety of our southern NJ soils. When thin sand is present a mulch, plus a good watering schedule is needed until the tree is established (this is a good rule of thumb with all newly planted trees). Although the Eastern Redbud is most commonly seen there are also other varieties such as the white (Cercis canadensis 'Alba'), and Forest Pansy which has purple leaves. The Chinese Redbud (Cercis chinensis) which is much smaller than the Eastern redbud is often very bushy and shrub like. There is also a very beautiful weeping redbud called lavender twist that will be a show stopper in anyone's garden setting. This outstanding plant should be featured in a spot that all can see and enjoy.

Most Redbud trees do not get very large with the optimum height of the mature specimen being 20-30 feet. With such a proliferation of white blooming Bradford Pears, the undemanding Redbud can add a terrific variation of color to your landscape.

Lorraine Kiefer is the owner of Triple Oaks Nursery and has been a garden writer since 1972. Click here to email her.

Contact Information

Triple Oaks Nursery
2359 S. Delsea Drive
Franklinville, New Jersey 08322

Toll Free: 856.694.4272