New Ruby Falls’ redbud

New ‘Rising Sun’ redbud

Over the past decade Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) has undergone a real facelift. This native spring flowering tree can no longer be solely identified by its green heart-shaped leaves. New foliage color choices will decidedly catch your eye and win you over. With some reservations most redbud cultivars fall within USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Purple-leaf ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud, released over 70 years ago, continues to be very popular. Today, two gold-colored foliage cultivars, ‘Rising Sun’ and ‘Hearts of Gold’, are catching on with landscapers. The dark yellow tint holds all spring and summer long. Brand new Solar Eclipse™ flaunts striking peach-orange foliage.

In the white variegated leaf category is new Alley Cat™, selected by Allen Bush of Jelitto Seed. The variegated foliage does not burn or fade like old-timey cultivar ‘Silver Cloud’. Floating Clouds™, a new Don Shadow introduction, boasts green foliage generously splashed in white; it does not scorch in the summer sun.

Gardeners with limited space may opt for low weeping redbud forms. Old-timers like ‘Covey’ (Lavender Twist®) and ‘Traveller’ continue to be popular green leaf weepers. New weepers include Ruby Falls™ and Whitewater™. Ruby Falls is essentially a weeping ‘Forest Pansy’ with striking white and green variegated spring foliage. Whitewater is a tree weeper with green leaves sprinkled with white flecks.