Hearts A' Fire Redbud

Hearts A' Fire Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Hearts A' Fire') puts on a foliage show unlike any other small tree. New leaves emerge in shades of burgundy, red, and tangerine, then shift to gold before settling into green for summer. Because the tree keeps pushing new growth through the season, you'll see multiple colors on the same branch at the same time. It's a cross between burgundy-leaved and golden-leaved redbuds, and it inherited the best of both parents.

Why You'll Love Hearts A' Fire Redbud

• Multi-colored foliage spectacle with burgundy, red, tangerine, and gold all visible at once
• Dark pink flowers bloom before leaves in early spring (March through April)
• Compact 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, perfect for small yards and garden beds
• Heart-shaped leaves add charm from spring through fall
• Native species that's also deer resistant and tolerates black walnut
• Adapts to clay, sand, and alkaline soils without complaint

Growing Conditions

Hearts A' Fire Redbud thrives in zones 5 through 9. It handles full sun to part shade, though the foliage color tends to be most vivid with morning sun and light afternoon shade. This cultivar is refreshingly adaptable when it comes to soil. Clay, sand, alkaline, average, well-drained: it works with all of them. It even tolerates juglone from nearby black walnut trees, which is a major advantage in many Midwestern and Eastern landscapes.

Size and Growth Habit

Mature size is 10 to 15 feet tall with an equal spread of 10 to 15 feet. Growth rate is moderate, producing a graceful, rounded canopy over time. The branching pattern is naturally attractive, with the kind of sculptural form that looks good even in winter. This is a tree that earns its space year-round.

Landscape Uses and Design Ideas

This redbud shines as a specimen tree near a patio, front walk, or entryway where you can appreciate the changing foliage up close. It works beautifully as an understory tree beneath taller shade trees, or planted at the edge of a woodland garden. Group three together for a small grove that becomes the focal point of your spring landscape. Browse our full redbud trees collection and see how this cultivar compares to other flowering trees for small spaces.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant in spring or fall, and water consistently during the first growing season. Redbuds have relatively shallow root systems, so a generous ring of mulch (two to four inches deep) helps maintain even soil moisture. Pruning is rarely needed beyond removing any dead or crossing branches in late winter.

For more inspiration, check out our redbud varieties and care guide, explore five trees for early spring color, and find the right fit for compact landscapes in the best shade trees for small yards. Don't forget to check our native plants and deer resistant plants collections.