Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

common name: 
Eastern Redbud
 | 
scientific name: 
Cercis
 
canadensis
Bright pink Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) flowers emerging directly from branches in early spring.

Redbud (Cercis canadensis) produces vibrant pink flowers along its branches and trunk in early spring before leaves emerge. Photo taken on March 31, 2026, west of Keim and Plant Science Halls.

Image Creadit: 
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant
Bright pink Eastern Redbud(Cercis canadensis) flowers emerging directly from branches in early spring.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a smaller, ornamental deciduous tree prized for its vibrant early-spring display of pink to magenta flowers. One of its most distinctive features is cauliflory, where flowers emerge directly from the branches and trunk before the leaves appear, creating a striking visual effect. Following bloom, heart-shaped leaves develop, providing soft green summer interest and often turning yellow in fall.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Deciduous Tree
Hardiness Zones: 
4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Water Needs: 
Moist
Space Requirements: 
12-24 feet
Height Requirements: 
More than 15 feet
Spread Requirements: 
More than 12 feet
Bloom Color: 
Pink
Bloom Time: 
Spring
Leaf Color: 
Green
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Clay Soil
Uses: 
Flowering Tree
Varieties