Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis, known as Eastern Redbud or Canadian Redbud, is a deciduous small tree that is very hardy and easy to grow in many gardens. It is ornamental with its pink flowering that is visible on the bare wood from early spring and its richly coloured autumn foliage. In winter, the fallen leaves reveal the twisted branches of this small tree with almost black bark.

Cercis canadensis belongs to the Fabaceae family (formerly known as Papilionaceae or legumes). It is a species highly resistant to frost, native to the eastern and central United States. The growth of this small tree is quite slow, and its average adult size is about 9m in height and 6m in spread, depending on the growing conditions. When regularly pruned, the Eastern Redbud forms a large bush with multiple trunks. It has a spreading habit, slightly taller than wide, with a short trunk and twisted branches. The flowers appear before the leaves, in March or April depending on the climate, directly on the trunk and branches. They resemble pea flowers in a purplish pink colour and are clustered in small visible clusters. This flowering is pollinated by insects. The fruits are flattened and hairy pods containing brown seeds. The leaves of Cercis canadensis are arranged alternately on the branches, have a heart-shaped form, and can measure up to 10cm in length. They emerge in spring with a bronze hue, then turn dark green in summer. In autumn, they display shades ranging from golden yellow to purple red, offering a dazzling spectacle before falling. The branches of old specimens branch out towards the ground. The bark of young trees is smooth and thin, ranging in colour from reddish-brown to grey-brown. It has visible lenticels (small openings for gas exchange) irregularly distributed over the entire surface of the bark. With age, the bark thickens and slightly cracks, forming shallow ridges and furrows. The colour of this bark changes from reddish-brown to dark grey-brown. The lenticels remain present but become less visible as the bark thickens.

This Eastern Redbud or Canadian Judas Tree tolerates a wide range of climates and adapts to deep and not-too-dry soils in summer. This ornamental small tree can be planted individually, in a large hedge, or in a grove. In neutral or alkaline, well-draining soil, you can associate it, for example, with a Field Maple, a Winged Euonymus, and a 'Raywood' Ash to create a vibrant grove from September to November.