Digging deeperPlant Library

Other Names:  Eastern Redbud, Judas Tree, Love Tree

Description:

A spectacular spring bloomer, with very showy pink to purple flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring; coarse heart-shaped leaves emerge deep purple and stay that way; an incredible color accent tree for specimen use in the home landscape

Ornamental Features

Forest Pansy Redbud has fuchsia pea-like flowers along the branches in early spring, which emerge from distinctive violet flower buds before the leaves. It has attractive burgundy deciduous foliage. The heart-shaped leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Forest Pansy Redbud is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Forest Pansy Redbud is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Forest Pansy Redbud will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Nursery Notes

In Colorado, this plant does best in a protected east or north facing location. Protect from wind.