Cercis canadensis 'HEARTS OF GOLD'® Eastern redbud, love tree
Cercis
The genus Cercis, commonly known as redbud, includes around ten species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere – from North America through Southern Europe to Eastern Asia. All species share several distinctive traits: heart-shaped leaves reminiscent of the iconic symbol of love, and early spring flowering, when small blossoms appear directly on bare wood – on branches and trunks, before the leaves emerge. The flowers have the typical shape of legumes, as redbuds belong to the Fabaceae family. In gardens, the most cultivated species are Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud), Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree), and Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud), each offering a wide range of cultivars with varying growth habits and foliage colours.
Eastern redbud originates from the eastern regions of North America – from southeastern Canada through the Great Lakes area down to Texas and Florida. The first botanical records of this species date back to the 16th century, when it was described by Spanish and French naturalists. In the 18th century, it reached European botanical gardens, quickly gaining popularity thanks to its early flowering and elegant form. Thomas Jefferson planted it in his gardens at Monticello, and George Washington recommended it for shrubbery plantings. In Native American culture, redbud had practical uses – its flowers were edible, and medicinal infusions were made from its bark. Today, it symbolizes spring and hope and has even become the official state tree of Oklahoma.
Hearts of Gold® is a fantastic addition to the eastern redbud family and was found by Jon R.Roethling in private garden in the USA in 2002 and has completely opposite colouring. It is now patented both in the USA under PP17,740 and under PBR No.20061429 in Europe. It has gorgeous, heart-shaped leaves of vivid golden-yellow to yellow-green colour. They are large: 10 cm or more across. When they emerge their colour is honey orange and mature leaves closer to the trunk change to pale, mid green while the tips of the branches still bear yellowish leaves all summer long. This effect makes the plant look fresh during the whole season. Hearts of Gold® has small, pea-like, lavender pink flowers on one-year-old whips in early spring. The plant grows in an open V-shape where only bottom branches are arching or slightly drooping at the ends.
Eastern redbud is commonly pruned when cultivated for the foliage. Hard pruning of minimum 5-year-old plants will result in long, new shoots with very large leaves (but no flowers). Pruning should be done in early spring after the frosts and do not cut more that two thirds of last year’s growth. Extra fertilizing is advisable in this case. If grown on stems you can keep the crown compact by trimming it in the spring, either before flowering or immediately after.
Do not cut into old wood – badly treated cuts may be infected and the plant may die. Eastern redbud is soil tolerant but does best in medium fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It resents transplanting and wet soil. Grow it in full sun or very light shade, shelter young plants from drying winds, if possible. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5), currently being tested in zone 4.
Last update 09-02-2010.
