Native Understory Tree
Sun: Full to Partial Shade (tolerates 4 hours of sun)
Height: 20'-30’
Bloom: Pink to purple
Bloom Time: March-April
Moisture: Average
Soil: Tolerate most soil types if not excessively wet or dry
Attracts: Pollinators, birds
Pollinator Benefit: Early nectar source for insects and seeds in autumn for Northern Bodwhites and Chickadees
_________________________________________________________________________
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a smallish flowering tree native to North America. It is a modest-height understory tree with beautiful, welcoming pink blooms in the spring. It grows at a medium rate of 12-18 inches per year.
Redbuds are excellent for specimen trees or as focal points in perennial gardens. Because they are natural understory trees, they can be used to add a layered effect, especially in landscapes dominated by taller trees. This kind of layering not only mimics the natural structure of forests but also creates diverse habitats for birds and insects, adding aesthetic and ecological value to your yard.
How to Plant & Care for Your Eastern Red Bud
The size of the tree is a seedling. Dig an appropriate-sized hole with plenty of water to help it get established. Leave as much dirt on the roots as you can.
Mulch around the tree, about 1 inch thick. Spread the mulch evenly in a circle and don’t allow the mulch to touch the small trunk–keep an inch or two of separation. The final mulch job should look like a flat disc, not a mound.
Water about once a week whenever the soil is dry at a depth of 2 to 3 inches. You will need to water more during a drought. After one to two years it is drought-tolerant.
It is unnecessary to fertilize it as it harnesses nitrogen from the air through nitrogen fixation.
Plant in Fall or Spring. When planting in Fall, plant 6 weeks before frost.