Prolific, edible, deep pink flowers in early spring. Red-purple, pea-shaped seed pods follow the flowers. Heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall.
Native bee on Eastern redbud flowers. Photo: Ed Spevak.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Plant Type: Trees
Native Environment: Forest, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr)
Main Color: Pink / Rose
Fall Color: Yellow
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Nesting
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
20 to
30
feet
Spread:
25 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 25 to
35
feet
Size
Height: 20 to
30
feet
Spread: 25 to
35
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Use as a specimen tree, background plant in in a shaded native garden, group in a shrub border or naturalize in a woodland.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Adapts to many soils. Easily grown from seed. Seedlings appear in gardens — somewhat weedy but easily transplanted when small.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.