Forest Pansy redbud

Sun

Full sun to partial shade. Sun generally gives stronger purple foliage; afternoon shade helps reduce leaf scorch in hot climates.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then during prolonged dry spells. Keep the root zone evenly moist rather than waterlogged.

Soil

Well-drained soil, from slightly acidic to alkaline. Tolerates clay if drainage is adequate; avoid persistently wet ground.

Height

20-30 ft (6-9 m)

Spread

20-30 ft (6-9 m)

Flowers

Rosy-pink, pea-shaped flowers in early to mid-spring, before the leaves; flowers grow directly from branches and sometimes the trunk.

Foliage

Broad, heart-shaped leaves emerge rich reddish-purple, often fading to bronze-green in summer. Autumn colour varies from yellow to orange and reddish-purple.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   7 ft (2.3 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   9 ft (2.8 m)

5. After 5 years

   11 ft (3.4 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US and Canada

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level and allow room for the mature spreading crown; established redbuds resent transplanting.
• Water deeply through the first two growing seasons, checking the soil before watering again.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Feed only if growth is weak and a soil test indicates a deficiency; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Protect the thin bark from mower damage and stake only if the root ball moves in the wind.

Pruning. Prune lightly just after flowering, removing dead, damaged and crossing branches. Establish a sound framework while young and avoid topping or large cuts into mature wood.

Early spring

Plant container-grown trees once the soil is workable, especially in colder regions.

Spring

Refresh mulch and check that it is not piled against the trunk.

Late spring

After flowering, lightly prune crossing branches and remove any shoots arising below a graft.

Summer

Check soil moisture during dry weather and water deeply if the root zone is drying out.

Autumn

Plant in mild climates while the soil is warm; water thoroughly after planting.

Winter

Check stakes and ties, and inspect bare branches for dead wood or sunken cankers.

• Use as a lawn specimen where its spreading branches and spring flowers can be seen clearly.
• Place against a green hedge or pale wall to show off the purple foliage.
• Plant at a woodland edge with ferns, hellebores and spring bulbs beneath it.
• Use as a small patio-side shade tree, leaving enough space for its mature canopy.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, English country, Modern, Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden and Wildlife garden.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Epimediums, Japanese forest grass, Hardy geraniums, Daffodils and Christmas fern.

Wildlife: Spring flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees. Birds may eat the seeds, and the branches provide shelter and nesting sites.

• Leaf scorch: brown leaf edges often follow heat or drought; water deeply, mulch and provide afternoon shade in hot locations.
• Canker and branch dieback: remove affected branches back to healthy wood in dry weather, disinfect tools and reduce drought stress.
• Verticillium wilt: sudden wilting or one-sided dieback needs diagnosis; there is no reliable cure, and badly affected trees should be removed.
• Leaf spots: usually cosmetic; collect fallen leaves, avoid overhead watering and improve airflow rather than routinely spraying.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. No part is recognised as a significant poisoning hazard, although eating substantial amounts of leaves, bark or seeds may cause digestive upset.

• Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  The ordinary species has green summer leaves rather than the rich purple new foliage of 'Forest Pansy'.

• Ruby Falls redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls')

  Also has purple heart-shaped leaves, but its branches weep strongly instead of forming an upright, spreading crown.

• Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum)

  Usually has greener, rounder leaves with blunter tips; 'Forest Pansy' has distinctly pointed, purple young leaves.

Cercis comes from the Greek word for a weaver's shuttle, referring to the seed pod's shape, while canadensis means 'of Canada'.

Propagation. Usually propagated by budding or grafting onto seedling redbud rootstocks. Seed-grown plants will not reliably retain the purple foliage or other characteristics of 'Forest Pansy'.

Accepted botanical name

Cercis canadensis

In the US and Canada

Native in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky.

Measured

Soil pH 5 to 7.9. Average height 535 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.