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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Caesalpiniaceae (~Fabales) |
| Origin: Northeast (U.S.) (North America) |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Rose Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 12-20 feet |
| Width: 15-25 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Purple-leaved Eastern Redbud) - A deciduous tree that grows 15 to 20 feet tall by with an equal spread. From late winter to early spring, the splendid, rose-pink blossoms cover the bare branches for a beautiful floral display. Graceful, heart-shaped leaves are 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide, arranged in an alternate pattern along the branches. New growth emerges deep purple and matures to a bronze-green - the showy fall color is yellow. The bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact such as mowers and trimmers. It typically has an irregular growth habit when young but forms a graceful, flat-topped, vase shape as it gets older. The tree usually branches low on the trunk, and if left intact forms a graceful multitrunked specimen. Requires selective pruning at an early age to develop a strong branch structure. Plant in full sun to light shade, best growth occurs in a light, rich, moist soil. This plant adapts fairly well to a variety of soils, including sandy, clay, alkaline or acidic, occasionally wet but most importantly well drained. Trees look better when they receive some irrigation in summer. Cold hardy to about <15 degrees F. This cultivar was discovered in 1947 as a chance seedling at the former Forest Nursery in McMinnville, Tennessee. It is variously reported as a discovery made by the nursery's owner Hiram B. Stubblefield or by its foreman, Charlie Keel. The name Cercis is from the Greek word 'kerkis' which is a weaver's shuttle in reference to the shape of the fruit. The species Cercis canadensis is a plant that is native to much of eastern North America from southern Ontario south to Florida and west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma. We grew this plant from 1988 until 2017 have replaced this plant at our nursery with the variety Cercis 'Merlot' because it requires less irrigation and has better color late season.
The information about Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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