Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud

Water beads off of broad, heart-shaped leaves of the Eastern redbud. This one is growing and thriving in an irrigated lawn, which its Western counterpart will not tolerate.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud leaves

Broad, heart-shaped, delicate leaves surround a cluster of dry brown seedpods that resemble snow pea pods, a reminder that these trees are also legumes.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud seedpods

A blooming Eastern redbud stands out on the side yard of a midcentury storybook ranch home. These trees, with their heart-shaped leaves and tiny pink flowers, are a nice complement to cottage style gardens common with these types of homes.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud flowers

A blooming Eastern redbud grows in a grassy park strip between the sidewalk and street in a newer suburb. Small pink flowers decorate every branch and contrast nicely with surrounding landscapes since most other plants are still dormant in late winter.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud

An Eastern redbud grows in a small patch of lawn in a suburban front yard between a walkway and the driveway. It's heart-shaped leaves provide some shade for these concrete areas.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud

Tiny, hot pink, pea-shaped flowers adorn every branch and twig of this Eastern redbud in late winter to early spring before leaves appear. A handful of dried seedpods remain from last season, which these flowers will turn into over the summer.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud flowers

A sweet Eastern redbud blooms in a front yard garden. This homeowner has created a special garden bed separate from the lawn for this tree and an evergreen shrub, free of grass so the tree will thrive.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern redbud in bloom

While this tree is lovely all year round, it is most well-known for its beautiful display of small pink flowers in the spring. The Eastern redbud is a low-maintenance and fast-growing tree that will thrive anywhere with consistent watering. After blooming in the spring, it leafs out with small, heart-shaped leaves that provide dense shade all summer long before turning a soft gold color in the fall. May be a species Eastern redbud or the 'Oklahoma' hybrid cultivar depending on availability.

Eastern redbud characteristics

Size:

Small

Height:

20-30 feet

Width:

20-30 feet

Growth Rate:

Moderate to Fast

Water Needs:

Moderate

Sunset Zones:

7, 8, 9, 14

Fall Color:

Yellow

Minimum planting distances

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Eastern redbud

Eastern redbud characteristics

Size:

Height:

Width:

Growth Rate:

Water Needs:

Sunset Zones:

Fall Color:

From foundations:

From hardscape:

From pools:

From fences:

From power lines:

Between trees:

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