Gardening Guides
Great Design Plant: Eastern Redbud
With romantic pink blooms and heart-shape leaves, this ornamental tree has been inspiring affection since the days of the founding fathers
I admit bias; the Eastern redbud is one of my all-time-favorite trees. Oklahoma agrees, as the Eastern redbud is its state tree. This beauty, native to the U.S. and Canada, explodes with deep pink color in spring. When I lived in Virginia the blooms were a sign that said, "This is the best weather of the year right now. Enjoy it." Also, because it has heart-shape leaves, it was very easy to identify on plant class quizzes. Of course, who doesn't love a heart-shape leaf, plant class quizzes or not? One thing you may not enjoy about these trees are the 3-inch-long seed pods they eventually drop on the ground, but that's the price of beauty, and cute little chickadees count on them for winter food. Fall is a prime time to plant this tree.
Distinguishing traits. These native trees are covered in deep pink blooms in the spring; flowers pop up in clusters all along the stems, branches and sometimes even along the trunk. Eastern redbuds are able to thrive in filtered light, so the color they provide is quite a shock to see in a woodland understory.
Mature trees have a round shape, though when out in the open, the oldest trees can spread out, becoming wider than they are tall.
Mature trees have a round shape, though when out in the open, the oldest trees can spread out, becoming wider than they are tall.
When they're not in bloom, enjoy their uniquely heart-shape leaves. The leaves are a reddish-purple right after the bloom, quickly turn a lovely shade of green for the summer and then turn yellow in the fall.
The tree produces seed pods that eventually drop. They are good for wildlife, as they are a winter food for birds. Birds also enjoy nesting in these trees.
The tree produces seed pods that eventually drop. They are good for wildlife, as they are a winter food for birds. Birds also enjoy nesting in these trees.
How to use it. When I lived in Virginia, I loved going up to Monticello in the spring to see the white flowering dogwoods and pink redbuds blooming in unison. They provided a beautiful ornamental layer beneath the canopy trees (they will need filtered sunlight to survive).
Of course, redbud's beauty also makes it a great ornamental tree to use solo in your yard or as a street tree.
Of course, redbud's beauty also makes it a great ornamental tree to use solo in your yard or as a street tree.
A redbud street tree, postbloom, in Atlanta. As young trees mature, you may need to do some pruning for clearance along the sidewalk and for parked cars.
Planting notes. The redbud can grow in a wide variety of soils, including clay, sandy and loamy. However, rich loose soil is best.
- Dig a hole the same depth as and 3 times the width of the root ball.
- Loosen the roots and place the root ball in the hole.
- Add soil, packing it down and watering as you go.
- Make sure you keep the tree watered for the first year.
- If you live in a climate with heavy snowfall, you should use a tree wrap to keep it protected during the first winter.
That's interesting. Founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were both fans of the Eastern redbud and planted many of them on their respective properties, Monticello and Mount Vernon.
Common name: Eastern redbud
USDA zones: 4 to 9 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can survive in drier conditions. You should water it during dry summer days.
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and up to 35 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: The tree is quite tolerant of poor soils, some drier conditions, urban conditions and various amounts of shade. It is susceptible to wilt, fungus, cankers and some pests.
Seasonal interest: Gorgeous deep pink blooms in spring; yellow leaves in fall
When to plant: After the last frost in spring or six weeks before the first frost in the fall