Eastern Redbud.

De un vistazo

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

9 to 12 meters

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Cuidados

Plant in a spot with well draining soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or cankers during humid weather. Prune only after flowering to maintain a nice shape.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth appears.

Pruning

Prune immediately after the flowers fade to remove dead wood and improve structure.

Repotting

Repot only if necessary when the tree is young, as they prefer to stay in the ground.

Soil

Loamy, moist, well draining

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-28 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Seguridad

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Pets

This plant is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.

Children

The seed pods can be a choking hazard for small children if ingested.

Contact allergens

There are no known significant skin irritants associated with this tree.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen for most people.

Edibility

While the flowers are edible, avoid consuming plant parts if you are unsure of identification or if the tree has been treated with chemicals.

Cómo identificarla

• Heart shaped leaves
• Pink flowers on bare branches
• Zigzagging branch pattern
• Small reddish brown seed pods

Height

6 to 9m

Spread

5 to 8m

Leaves

green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

pink, purple, magenta, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Botryosphaeria canker — Fungal infection that causes sunken areas on branches and can lead to dieback.
• Leafhoppers — Small insects that suck sap and can cause leaf yellowing or stippling.
• Verticillium wilt — Soilborne fungus that causes wilting and branch death.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special winter care is needed as it is fully hardy in its native range. You can mulch around the base to protect the roots from extreme temperature swings.

In containers

It can be grown in large containers for a few years, but it prefers being in the ground.

Planting spring ephemerals beneath the tree takes advantage of the light before the canopy fully leafs out.

Buenas compañeras

• Serviceberry — They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
• Wild Ginger — It makes a great groundcover beneath the canopy of the redbud.
• Columbine — These perennials thrive in the same dappled shade conditions.

Mantenla lejos de

• Black Walnut — The juglone produced by walnut roots can inhibit the growth of many trees.

Especies parecidas

• Chinese Redbud — It has a similar growth habit but features more intense flower clusters.
• Western Redbud — It is a close relative adapted to the drier conditions of the western United States.

Ciencia

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Cercis

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

It is not currently of conservation concern.

This understory tree thrives in the dappled light of forest edges and along stream banks.

Value to wildlife

early nectar source, nesting habitat

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental specimen, pollinator garden, woodland edge planting

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How fast does it grow?

It is a moderate grower, typically adding 1 to 2 feet per year.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun to partial shade, especially in hotter climates.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, meaning weaver's shuttle, referring to the pod shape. The species name canadensis refers to its range in North America.

Bueno saberlo

• The flowers are technically edible and have a slightly sweet, pea like flavor.
• Native Americans used the bark to treat various ailments.
• It is the state tree of Oklahoma.
• The heart shaped leaves turn a lovely yellow in the fall.