All flowers
Eastern Redbud Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Renewal and betrayal.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Cercis
Native to
Eastern North America
Bloom season
Spring
Type
deciduous tree
Height
20-30 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist, well-drained
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Redbud is cauliflorous, meaning flowers emerge directly from the bark of the trunk and older branches, not just new twigs.
  • Legend holds that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a redbud tree, which is why its European cousin is called the Judas tree.
  • The flowers are edible and have a mild, slightly tart flavor; they can be added to salads or used as garnishes.
  • George Washington noted transplanting redbuds from the forest to his Mount Vernon gardens in his diary.
  • Eastern redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma and was among the first North American trees sent to Europe in the 1600s.

Color meanings

0

spring awakening

1

rebirth

Uses

  • ornamental tree
  • edible flowers
  • urban landscaping
  • wildlife habitat