Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
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Specifications
| Plant Characteristics | Cold hardy, Native, Flowering, Thornless, Attracts pollinators, Fall Color/Interest, Non-invasive |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone | 4a to 9b |
| Sunlight | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Watering Needs | Moderate |
| Preferred Soil | Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Blooms In | Spring |
| Flower Color | Purple, Pink |
| Native | Yes |
| Native To |
Alabama,
Arkansas,
Connecticut,
Delaware,
Florida,
Georgia,
Illinois,
Indiana,
Iowa,
Kansas,
Kentucky,
Louisiana,
Maryland,
Massachusetts,
Michigan,
Mississippi,
Missouri,
Nebraska,
New Jersey,
New Mexico,
New York,
North Carolina,
Ohio,
Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania,
South Carolina,
Tennessee,
Texas,
Virginia,
Washington DC,
West Virginia,
Wisconsin
+26 moreshow less |
| Suitable Space | Outdoors |
| Botanical Name | |
| Species | |
| Class | Magnoliopsida, Fabidae |
| Does Not Ship To | AK, HI, ID, MT, PR |
Description
Electric Pink-Purple Flowers Eastern Redbud Tree
- Showy Purpleish-Pink Flowers in Early Spring
- Native Tree Eastern North America
- Pollinator Friendly
- Widely Adapted and Easy to Grow
- Disease Resistant
- Beautiful Small Flowering Tree
- Mellow Fall Color
- Zig-Zag Bare Branches & Winter Interest
- State Tree of Oklahoma
Plant Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) as an outstanding clarion call to herald the arrival of spring. Use this lovely native plant by itself as a specimen focal point or plant several to create a spectacular grouping.
This tree steals the show each spring. Electric, lavender-pink to magenta clusters of blossoms burst from the bare branches, long before any of the heart-shaped leaves emerge. Every branch is festooned with flowers!
The stunningly delightful presentation lasts for weeks in the spring! Garden designers rely on Eastern Redbud's flower power. They use this tree as the main attraction in the Spring Garden. Why not follow their lead?
This small, ornamental tree is a great choice. Native to most of the United States in one species or another, they are easy care. They also bring many desirable features into the landscape.
New leaves unfurl underneath the flowers and grow into a perfect heart shape for summer shade. Held on long petioles, the dark green leaves flutter and dance in a charming way whenever a breeze blows through the rounded crown.
As fall comes on and the nights get colder, the foliage mellows into a nice shade of harvest yellow. Tiny, purplish seed pods dangle and persist for a bit of textured winter interest.
Versatile Redbuds have a unique, sculptural shape that can vary from tree to tree. There are many ways to feature them throughout the landscape, and they make a natural partner for water features and woodlands.
Eastern Redbud is native to North America where it grows in woodlands and along creeks and rivers. It's primarily found as an understory tree growing along with taller hardwoods and conifers, so it can tolerate partial shade conditions.
Being native to the Americas and found naturally from Texas to the Great Lakes, the Eastern Redbud has super soil adaptability. It thrives in nearly any condition and grows about 2 feet a year until maturity.
Members of the Legume family, you'll see that similarity in their pea-like flowers and the seed pods! These popular springtime superstars sell out every year. Order your Eastern Redbud trees now!
How to Use Eastern Redbud in the Landscape
Grow the Eastern Redbud as a single specimen tree or as a small grove of 3 to 5 for a great woodland effect. When happy, these trees are very little maintenance and naturalize in the landscape beautifully.
They'll appreciate well-drained soil but are tolerant of wet, clay soil and alkaline conditions. This makes them perfect to use in a lawn setting. They won't mind the regular application of water required by turf.
Move into an established yard with a large evergreen tree? Plant an Eastern Redbud nearby to boost the appeal. Add a planting bed to the east, south or west of the larger tree and create a special spring display.
You'll love the contrast between the fluorescent Redbud flowers and the steady tones of the evergreen foliage. Mulch it and underplant with spring bulbs, small evergreen shrubs and a few summer flowering shrubs to create a year-round display.
These are a great choice for both home garden, and commercial plantings. They'll do very well in median parking strips. Use them as street trees along walkways or in park settings.
As you can imagine, Eastern Redbud is a premier choice for native landscapes or native restoration projects. Include them in your garden border plantings or marching along property lines.
For a large hedge where the canopies touch, plant them 6 - 8 feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Expand that spacing from 10 - 12 feet apart to establish individual trees.
Train the Eastern Redbud as a single trunk tree or buy a multi-trunk clump for a more natural look. Try one at the corner of your house to anchor your foundation planting.
Use 2, 4 or 6—however many you have room for—on either side of a driveway to create a magnificent allée. What a treat in spring!
We aren't sure if there is anything prettier than an Eastern Redbud in full bloom at the edge of a pond or water feature. Why not plant them with slightly tilted trunks, so that the canopy appears to reach towards the water?
#ProPlantTips for Care
Plant these deciduous trees in well-drained soil. Give them plenty of regular water, especially when young and in drier climates. Tolerant of part shade and full sun
In western USDA hardiness zone 9, Eastern Redbud benefits from morning sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun. In the hotter climates, give the Eastern Redbud plenty of mulch. Use at least 4 inches of wood chips spread to 3 feet outside of the canopy of the tree. Highly resistant, prune to ensure there’s plenty of air circulation to help prevent verticillium wilt, canker or other diseases, and prune out any winter dieback in early spring.
Be patient with young trees and small trees. Oftentimes, they are slow to send out leaves in spring, so give them time.
This is one of our prettiest native trees of North America. You'll love the look of the bare branches clothed in great clusters of early spring blossoms. Find the Eastern Redbud tree for sale at NatureHills.com!
Explore More from Nature Hills
The Eastern Redbud is a beloved choice among native plants and flowering trees, offering early spring blooms that attract pollinators before the leaves emerge. For more varieties and expert growing advice, check out our #ProPlantTips: Best Redbud Tree Varieties & Care Guide. Browse our full selection of redbud trees and trees to find the perfect additions for your landscape.
Planting & Care
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping Rates
Ships in 3-5 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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The Eastern Red Bud is starting to look like a real tree, can’t wait to see it on another month.
Watching a redbud find its footing and start putting on real growth is one of the better things about spring. Once it hits its stride you will have those rosy pink blooms to look forward to each year, usually right before the leaves come in. Thanks for sharing the update, Karin, we hope the next month brings even more progress.
Great little tree. 2 weeks in the ground and already new growth. Everything I’ve gotten from this nursery has been stellar.
New growth after two weeks is a great sign that your redbud has settled in well. Eastern Redbuds can be a little slow to show their roots, so seeing that push early on means it's happy where you planted it. Thanks for the kind words, Pete, and for trusting us with your garden over the years. The Nature Hills Team
Can't wait until springtime blooms
Hi there! Thank you for leaving a review for our Eastern Redbud tree. We're so glad to hear that you are enjoying it and are eagerly awaiting its springtime blooms. We can't wait for you to see them either! Happy gardening!
Two trees arrived in large boxes and we were pleasantly surprised how good they looked. Very healthy and larger than we thought we were getting. Can’t wait to see them bloom next spring.
Hi there!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review for our Eastern Redbud. We're happy to hear that the trees arrived in good condition and exceeded your expectations. We can't wait to see them bloom next spring either! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns in the future.
Happy gardening!
Customer Service Team
The tree arrived on time, well wrapped and it appears in excellent shape. Happy with purchase.
Eastern Redbuds are resilient travelers when packed well, and it sounds like this one made the trip in good form. Give it a good deep watering as it settles into its new spot, especially over the first season. Thanks for the note, James.
The plant arrived in perfect condition and is growing nicely. Thank you for your seamless service.
A redbud arriving in good shape and then taking off is exactly the goal. They can put on a nice flush of growth once they settle in, so it sounds like yours is right on track. Thanks for the kind words, Robert, and enjoy that tree come spring bloom time. The Nature Hills Team
Great ordering experience, tree arrived quickly and healthy. It is already growing fast!
Redbud trees have a way of taking off once they settle in, so it's great to hear yours is already putting on growth. Thanks for the kind words about the ordering experience, Melanie. Enjoy watching it fill out over the seasons.
It's doing well, I can't say it is thriving but it looks fresh and healthy.
Fresh and healthy is a great sign for a newly planted Redbud, Irma. They tend to put energy into establishing roots in the first season before really taking off, so that steady, healthy look now usually means a strong burst of growth is coming. Thanks for sharing the update.
The Eastern Redbud single stem tree arrived securely packaged and the soil was well preserved. We have planted the tree and have new foliage buds starting to emerge. Stay tuned….!
New buds pushing out after planting is exactly the sign you want to see, Renata. Eastern Redbuds can take a little time to settle in, so that early growth is a good indicator the roots are happy. We hope it puts on a great show for you this season and for many springs to come.
The plants are wonderful! They were received packaged really good. Trees were in excellent condition, received fast. I love this place!
The Eastern Redbud tree i purchased is the best I've ever seen.. it is in full leaf and has taken root quickly. Definitely a 5 star.
Your enthusiasm for the Eastern Redbud makes our day! That flush of full leaf and quick root growth means the tree is settling in beautifully. Redbuds appreciate a half-day of sun, light afternoon shade, and evenly moist soil their first year—guidance echoed by the University of Kentucky Extension. A two-inch mulch ring keeps the root zone cool and weed-free, while light corrective pruning after bloom preserves that graceful vase shape. Thank you for the kind words and for choosing us to supply such a show-stopping native tree.
Bloom on, The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
Super happy with the height & health of the trees I ordered. Very stable with the pole & wrapping for shipping. Could not have come to the house faster, I was very impressed.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave a review! We're thrilled to hear that you are happy with the height and health of your Eastern Redbud trees. Our team takes great care in ensuring that our products arrive to our customers in the best condition possible.
We're also glad to hear that the shipping process was smooth and efficient for you. As a gardening tip for your Eastern Redbud, we recommend pruning the branches in late winter or early spring to promote healthy growth and a more compact shape.
Thank you again and happy gardening!
Nature Hills Customer Service
The tree I received was exactly 5 ft tall and growing vigorously Judging by the redbud trees I currently have in my yard, I'm guessing it was a 3-year-old tree It was very straight and I ordered the single stem because I want a more tree like tree than a bush-like tree
Hi Jordan,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your tree arrived at exactly 5 ft tall and is growing so vigorously—that’s exactly the quality we strive to provide. It sounds like you made a fantastic choice ordering the single-stem redbud to achieve that classic, tree-like shape, and your observation about it being around three years old aligns perfectly with our growth standards.
If you ever want tips on caring for your redbud to keep it thriving or advice on companion plants that enhance your yard’s beauty, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help you nurture your green space just the way you envision it.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
Purchased this native flowering tree in spring 2023. Arrived dormant & then began growing some leaves within a couple of weeks. I was nervous over the summer as some leaves turned brownish and fell off. Planted in space between road and sidewalk that gets a lot of winter road salt. Fast forward to spring 2024, we had leaves & some flowers already. I think it grew another foot taller (arrived ~3’ tall & is about 5’ now). We haven’t had any leaves turn brown this summer. They’re nice & green. The rain has been plentiful. Will definitely purchase other natives from Nature Hills again. Upstate NY Zone 5 (Eastern Lake Ontario)
Hi Melissa,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your little Redbud! We’re genuinely delighted to hear it’s thriving and even putting on some lovely blooms—and that you’ve seen such impressive growth over less than a year. Native trees like yours truly appreciate being planted in just the right spot, and it’s great to know the plentiful spring rain along with your thoughtful care helped bring those vibrant green leaves this summer.
It’s understandable to feel nervous when some leaves turned brown last year, especially with winter road salt nearby—that can definitely be tough on young trees. If you ever notice salt injury symptoms again, using a barrier like a mulch ring can help protect the roots, and flushing your soil with fresh water early in the spring can sometimes mitigate buildup. Meanwhile, our Care Guide for Redbuds on the website offers lots of helpful tips to keep attracting those gorgeous blooms year after year.
We’re thrilled to have earned your trust and look forward to helping you grow many more beautiful, native plants that flourish in Upstate New York’s unique conditions. Please never hesitate to reach out to us if you have any other questions or just want gardening advice.
Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
I ordered a #2 container Red Bud for my MIL for her birthday. It shipped on 6/1/22 and arrived (after being delayed by FedEx) on 6/6/22. Tree was in decent shape for being without sunlight and water for 5+/- days. Quite a few leaves did fall off so we planted it right away the next day. Looks healthy and my MIL was happy! (Note: Tree was roughly 4-5' tall for reference.)
Hello Brooke,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the #2 container Red Bud! We truly appreciate the detailed feedback about its journey to your door and are glad to hear that, despite the unforeseen FedEx delay and leaf drop, the tree still arrived in decent shape. It’s wonderful that you were able to plant it right away—that helps these beautiful trees recover quickly and start thriving in their new home. We’re delighted your mother-in-law is happy with her gift!
If you ever need tips on Red Bud care or how to help those leaves bounce back beyond the initial shock, we’re always here to help. Keeping your tree watered (but not soggy), pruning any damaged branches, and providing good sunlight will go a long way as it continues to grow tall and strong.
Thanks again for choosing Nature Hills—your thoughtful care makes all the difference for your tree’s future.
Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists
Bought 4 #1 containers 1 year ago. Happy to report all 4 are thriving! Anticipating spring blooms , hopefully next year. Lining driveway. Should be spectacular! Still wish I had bought a larger containers.
Hello Denise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to update us on your plants’ progress! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that all four of your #1 containers are thriving after a year—that’s wonderful news. It sounds like your driveway is shaping up to be quite the spectacular view once those spring blooms arrive next year!
We understand wishing you had gone bigger with your containers. If you decide to add larger pots in the future, opting for containers with extra room can really give your plants the space to flourish even more robustly, especially when lining a driveway. Should you want recommendations or tips for transitioning to larger containers or the best soil mixes to support vigorous root growth, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help every step of the way.
Thank you again for sharing your gardening journey—your success truly inspires us!
Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team
Bought 4 #1 containers 1 year ago. Happy to report all 4 are thriving! Anticipating spring blooms , hopefully next year. Lining driveway. Should be spectacular! Still wish I had bought a larger containers.
Dear Denise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to update us and share your wonderful news! We’re absolutely thrilled to hear that all four of your #1 containers are thriving after a year—that’s such a wonderful testament to your nurturing care. We can just imagine how spectacular your driveway will look lined with them once those spring blooms come in next year!
It’s great to hear your enthusiasm about larger containers as well. For future plantings, you might consider sizes like #3 or even up to #5 if space permits—they really give those roots more room to grow and can often lead to bigger, more vibrant blooms. If you ever want advice on selecting containers or proper care to prepare for those future blooms, feel free to reach out. We have tons of helpful guides and plant care tips available on our website too.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
Tree came looking healthy and was easy to plant.
Hi Ingrid,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your tree arrived healthy and was easy to plant. Proper planting definitely sets the stage for great growth, so if you ever need tips on watering, fertilizing, or general care as your tree settles in, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
Tree came looking healthy and was easy to plant.
Hello Ingrid,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that your tree arrived looking healthy and that the planting process was an easy and enjoyable experience. It's always our goal to provide plants that are ready to thrive in your garden with minimal effort.
If you ever have any questions as your tree grows or want tips on care and maintenance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We also have some great resources on seasonal care and watering guides on our website that can help your new addition flourish.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
Just planted. Everything up to now was great; plant quality and arrival. Time will tell
Hi Ken,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that the plant quality and arrival met your expectations—we know how important a great start is when you’re adding new life to your garden. As your new plants continue to grow and settle in, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need guidance on care. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Here’s to watching your garden flourish and bringing beauty month by month.
Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
The packing of this tree was amazing. It took me quite awhile just getting it out of the package. It was planted within 24 hours and it seems happy. It had leaves when I got it, but it is fall now and it has lost it's leaves. It still looks great and happy. I can't wait to see the flowers in the spring.
Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that the packing of your tree met your expectations and that it arrived in good condition. We completely understand that unboxing a carefully packed tree can be quite the adventure—and we’re glad to know yours made it safely.
It’s terrific that you planted your tree within 24 hours and that it looks happy even as it’s gone through its natural fall leaf drop. Deciduous trees losing their leaves during fall is completely normal, so you’re right on track. It sounds like your tree is resting and preparing to bloom beautifully come spring! If you want to keep it thriving, we recommend making sure it gets adequate water through the fall and mulching around the base to protect the roots from colder temperatures. When spring arrives, you should soon see those lovely flowers you’ve been wishing for.
If you have any questions or need care tips throughout the seasons, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help your garden flourish!
Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team
The packing of this tree was amazing. It took me quite awhile just getting it out of the package. It was planted within 24 hours and it seems happy. It had leaves when I got it, but it is fall now and it has lost it's leaves. It still looks great and happy. I can't wait to see the flowers in the spring.
Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your new tree! We’re delighted to hear that the packaging met your expectations—it means a lot to us to ensure your plant arrives safely and ready to thrive. Losing leaves in the fall is completely natural for many deciduous trees, so it’s great to hear your tree still looks happy despite the seasonal change.
As you look forward to spring blooms, we recommend adding a layer of mulch around the base to help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture. Feel free to check our website for seasonal care tips specific to your tree variety, or reach out anytime if you need advice on nurturing your tree as it grows.
Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts
