Redbud tree | Cercis canadensis | The Morton Arboretum

In April and May, many neighborhoods are brightened by the purplish-pink flowers lining the dark branches of redbuds before their leaves open. This Chicago-area native plant evolved in the understory and along the edges of forests. It works especially well among evergreens that contrast with its color and shelter it from intense sunlight.

This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.

Family (English) Pea
Family (botanic) Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae)
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
Size range Small tree (15-25 feet), Medium tree (25-40 feet)
Mature height 20-30 feet
Mature width 25-35 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil
Season of interest mid spring, late spring, early fall, mid fall
Flower color and fragrance Pink, Purple
Shape or form Irregular, Multi-stemmed, Round
Growth rate Moderate
Transplants well No
Planting considerations Messy fruit/plant parts
Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Size and Form

Redbud is a small tree, often multi-stemmed, reaching 20 to 25 feet high and wide.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

Native to most of the central and eastern United States, it is commonly found in wooded areas. C-Value: 10.

Bark Color and Texture

Bark is brown with an inner orange-red coloration. Older bark sheds to reveal red inner bark.

Leaf Arrangement, Size, Shape, Texture, and Color

The simple, alternate leaves are 3 to 5 inches long and often wider than they are long. The leaves are heart-shaped with an entire margin. Leaves are dark green changing to a clear yellow in fall, although the fall color is sometimes yellow-green.

Flower Arrangement, Shape, and Size

Flowers are rose-pink to magenta. Small clusters of pea-like blossoms appear along branches and twigs in early May.

Fruit and Seed Descriptions

The fruit is a 2 to 3 inch long legume (pea-pod). They turn from reddish-green to brown and persist into the winter.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Redbud is best planted in part shade in the spring. In full sun, provide supplemental water in dry periods. Buy from a local or regional source to ensure hardiness. Plants benefit with a 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch to protect the tree’s shallow root system. Relatively short-lived, it usually has a 20 to 25 year life span.

List of Pests, Diseases, and Tolerances

Suffers in full sun or extreme summer heat. Susceptible to borers, canker diseases, and verticillium wilt. Tolerant of black walnut toxicity.

Cultivars

These plants are cultivars of a species that is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. Cultivars are plants produced in cultivation by selective breeding or via vegetative propagation from wild plants identified to have desirable traits.

Ace of Hearts redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Ace of Hearts’)

This is a dwarf redbud, growing 12 to 15 feet high and wide and vase-shaped. Marginally hardy in zone 5.

Appalachian Red redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Appalachian Red’)

A shorter, 20 feet high by 25 feet wide spreading redbud with bright pink flowers and magenta colored buds.

Forest Pansy redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’)

This is an upright form, growing 20 to 25 feet high and 20 feet wide, with new leaf growth reddish-purple and gradually maturing to a more muted purple. In hot summers it turns more purplish-green. Flowers tend to be darker and more purplish than the species.

Joy’s Pride™ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Morton’)

20 to 25 feet high and 15 feet wide. This cultivar matures to 20 to 25 feet high and 15 feet wide and has deep lavender, pea-like flowers followed by dark purple, persistent seed pods. A Chicagoland Grows® introduction.

Lavender Twist® redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’)

A weeping form that grows 4 to 5 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide.

MN Strain redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘MN Strain‘)

A very cold hardy selection from Minnesota.

White redbud (Cercis canadensis f. alba):

A white flowering form of redbud. Grows 25 to 30 feet high and 20 feet wide with a rounded habit.