Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree
Cercis canadensis 'NC2016-2'
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Specifications
| Plant Characteristics | Cold hardy, Fall Color/Interest, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Disease resistant, Fast-growing, Fragrant |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone | 4a to 9b |
| Sunlight | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Watering Needs | Moderate |
| Preferred Soil | Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Blooms In | Spring |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Native | Yes |
| Suitable Space | Outdoors |
| Botanical Name | |
| Species | |
| Cultivar | |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Does Not Ship To | AK, HI, ID, MT, PR |
Description
Bright, Powerful Accent Flame Thrower® Redbud
- People's Choice Award Winner
- Outstanding Early Spring Flower Display on Bare Branches
- Pea-Like Flowers Are Reddish-Purple
- New Heart-Shaped Foliage Emerges Strong Burgundy Red
- Foliage Matures to Vivid Chartreuse, Red-Orange, Orange-Yellow and Green
- Each Leaf Color is Different on Every Branch
- Compact Ornamental Tree
- Wonderful Accent, or Shade Tree For Small Spaces
- Modern Cultivar of a Native Tree
- Fetching Semi-Pendulous Branch Structure
- Four Seasons of Interest
- Disease-Resistant
- Displays Minimal Leaf Scorch
- Widely Adapted & Easy to Grow
This must-have ornamental Redbud tree hits the bulls-eye. These easy-care trees take aim and score colorful, high-style points.
The Flame Thrower® Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'NC2016-2') delivers a shot of color that keeps coming throughout the entire growing season. Fire up your landscape design with these compact, well-balanced trees.
This ornamental tree is an improved cultivar of the native Redbud. It's a perfect fit in small yards and delivers maximum "firepower" all year long.
Start your spring off right with Flame Thrower® Redbud. Keep your eye on the bare branches for swollen buds that hit big. Pea-shaped, pink flowers cover all the wood, even the trunk!
This incendiary flower lasts for several weeks. People in your neighborhood will ask you about this special modern tree!
Use one with pride in your front yard foundation planting. Just understand that you'll want more than one, once you see the amazing foliage display that follows the flowers.
Dramatically dark burgundy leaves emerge once the flowers have passed. As the leaves age, they turn a hot mix of yellow, orange, lime green, and red.
The tree's canopy changes from week to week in a never-ending color explosion. Those eye-catching leaves hang from long petioles and drift and move in the wind!
Flame Thrower® Redbud is a real rush to own. Add one or several to your landscape this season.
The expert Nature Hills grower team will ship a professional-grade tree right to your doorstep. Nothing could be easier!
How to Use Flame Thrower® Redbud in the Landscape
Count on this tree to become the focal point of your landscape. Front yard, side yard, backyard — you'll find many different places to use a Flame Thrower®.
Complete the look with effective, easy-care choices of small shrubs and blooming perennials. Choose a range of complementary colors that pick up on the many hues of the bold foliage.
People will notice these trees, so give them a prominent position in your foundation planting. If you have a picture window, this is the tree to use in front of it. Cozy up indoors to savor the early spring blossoms.
Use one 20 feet away from the corner of your home. Or, plant two lawn trees on either side of a symmetrical front walk.
Plant them in a long row that runs along the street. They'll fit well under utility wires! You may have the space to use them along the length of your fence line or a wider side yard to define your property.
Or, create a personal space in your backyard. These "destination zones" are worth their weight in gold.
Include one on the southwest side of a children's outdoor play structure to provide much-needed shade. Your child will forever be fascinated by the ever-changing foliage color display.
Decorate a corner by the shed to help hide the garbage cans. Add some cute seating in front of it, with a low-slung outdoor table to hold your pitcher of margaritas.
Plant an informal grouping of three trees loosely spaced 30 to 40 feet apart. Place a hammock stand or two, or add a fire ring and a circle of tree stumps in between trees.
You'll love your new garden feature! Flame Thrower® is a very versatile tree that will work just about anywhere. Bump up the interest wherever you place it.
Use a row of them behind your patio seating as an incredible "living wall". You'll love the privacy!
They also make beautiful, multi-colored backdrops to perennial gardens. Try adding them in front of existing windbreaks to fire up the visual interest.
Flame Thrower® Redbud brings butterflies and beneficial pollinators to visit. They appreciate the early nectar resource.
Why not make your trees work for you? Add near your Victory Garden or backyard orchard. They easily hide the more utilitarian areas of those hard-working kitchen gardens.
#ProPlantTips for Care
Redbud trees require well-drained soil but can adapt well to many different types of soil.
Be sure to include a pack of Nature Hills Root Booster in your order. It will help your tree access water and micronutrients over its entire lifespan.
For the best leaf color and maximum bloom, full sun is best. However, this plant can grow in part shade, too.
Ensure you provide a regular schedule of water if you don't get adequate rainfall. Adding a three-inch layer of mulch on top of the root system will cut down on surface evaporation. Please pull the mulch away from touching the trunk.
It may take some time for your new Redbud to fully leaf out in spring. Be patient with your young trees. Don't worry, those multi-colored leaves are well worth the wait!
Can be grown as a smaller single-stem tree form by trimming lower limbs back to the main trunk. Leave as-is to create a low-branched or multiple-stem shrub form plant for screening or backdrop for your mixed border.
Add the powerful Flame Thrower® Redbud in your landscape this year. Just hurry, this is a very desirable variety bred at the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University. It will sell out quickly!
Explore More from Nature Hills
The Flame Thrower® Redbud is an excellent addition to any collection of flowering trees, and you'll find many complementary varieties among our selection of redbud trees and native plants. For comprehensive care information and variety comparisons, check out our #ProPlantTips: Best Redbud Tree Varieties & Care Guide. Browse our complete selection of trees to discover other species that pair beautifully with redbuds in your landscape design.
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping Rates
Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
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Going to be beautiful when it grows up. A little skimpy right now.
I was pleasantly surprised with the size of the tree I received. It had shoots when I received it and started growing right away. I had the tree inside for a few months using a grow light and it had several shoots and lots of leaves. Unfortunately, I planted the tree outside a bit too early and frost got to the existing leaves. However, the tree is starting to grow and has several new shoots so I am hopeful the tree will make a full recovery. I do wish this tree had more red. I have one in my backyard and its primarily red with yellow and green. This tree seems to be primarily yellow. All in all, I am happy with this tree so far.
We LOVE it! The variation of the leaf color is truly awesome. I cannot wait to see how fast it takes off. Thank you!
That color variation is one of the best things about Flame Thrower. The leaves cycle through burgundy, orange, and green all season, so there is always something new to look at. As it settles in and the root system establishes, you should start seeing some good growth. Thanks for sharing, Elise. The Nature Hills Team
5’ straight up young flame throw redbud. Very nice
A straight, upright young Redbud is a great sign of a healthy start. As it settles in over the next season or two, you should start to see that graceful branching habit develop along with the striking foliage color the Flame Thrower is known for. Thanks for sharing, Karen.
The tree is doing beautifully!!! The color is outstanding and I couldn’t be happier with it!!!
A Flame Thrower Redbud putting on a good show is really something to see. That foliage color tends to deepen as the tree matures, so you have a lot to look forward to in the seasons ahead. Thanks for sharing the update, Remi and Ellie. The Nature Hills Team
Late to the ground in N Texas but it's growing gang busters!
Plant came in well packaged and healty. very satisfied
Mine is in its second year, so I was expecting a good flower show, but a late hard frost had other ideas. But then the new leaves emerged, and the whole neighborhood stopped to take a look, many thought they were flowers, electric red in color. The show continued for over a month, then a few red purple leaves here and there. Only negative is the leaves in the heat of summer look washed out but the form is a nice semi weeping and appears to be a strong grower.
Hi Dennis,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your gorgeous tree! We completely understand how a late hard frost can impact your bloom expectations, but it’s wonderful to hear that the vibrant electric red new leaves turned heads and kept the neighborhood enchanted for over a month. The semi-weeping form sounds stunning and it's great that it’s proven to be a strong grower despite the summer heat tensions.
To help with the washed-out leaf color during hot spells, you might try some strategic watering in the early morning or creating a bit of dappled shade during peak afternoon sunlight to reduce stress. Also, applying a balanced slow-release fertilizer can support its overall health through the growing season.
If you ever need tips on heat protection or nutrient recommendations, don't hesitate to reach out – we’re here to assist! Thank you again for taking the time to let us know about your tree's show-stopping qualities.
Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
