Best redbud cultivars (Cercis)
*Cercis canadensis* -- eastern redbud -- is one of the most adaptable native flowering trees in North America. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, it is native from New Jersey to Nebraska and south to northern Florida and Texas, grows 20--30 feet tall, and produces rosy-pink to magenta pea-like flowers.
Cercis canadensis — eastern redbud — is one of the most adaptable native flowering trees in North America. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, it is native from New Jersey to Nebraska and south to northern Florida and Texas, grows 20—30 feet tall, and produces rosy-pink to magenta pea-like flowers directly on the bark (cauliflorous) before leaf-out in March—April. Hardy in zones 4—9. The straight species is a reliable, underutilized native tree, but the cultivar selection has expanded dramatically since the 1990s to include purple-leaf forms, weeping habits, chartreuse foliage, and pure white flowers.
I don't grow redbud at my place in Melville, Long Island — deer browse the young trees hard before they can establish. The guide below is sourced from Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension, and USDA sources.
Eastern redbud cultivars (C. canadensis)
Purple-leaf forms
'Forest Pansy' is the standard purple-leaf redbud. Per NC State Extension, it grows 20—25 ft, is hardy in zones 5—9, and produces heart-shaped burgundy-purple leaves that hold color well through summer in zones 5—7 but fade to bronze-green in hot, humid zone 8—9 summers. Rosy-pink flowers in spring.
'Merlot' — darker and glossier foliage than 'Forest Pansy'; per Missouri Botanical Garden, holds purple color better in the South than 'Forest Pansy'; zones 5—9; 15—20 ft.
'The Rising Sun' — chartreuse-to-gold new growth emerging orange-red in spring, maturing to chartreuse-yellow by midsummer. Per NC State Extension, this is the most colorful of the foliage redbuds, with three distinct color phases in one season; zones 5—9; 12—15 ft.
'Burgundy Hearts' — compact (8—12 ft), dark purple foliage, good color retention in partial shade; per Missouri Botanical Garden, useful for smaller gardens where 'Forest Pansy' would be too large.
Weeping forms
'Covey' (sold as Lavender Twist) is the dominant weeping redbud. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, it grows 5—8 ft tall with cascading, twisted branches; zones 5—9; rosy-pink flowers. It is grafted onto a standard trunk and needs staking to establish its weeping habit. The weeping branches eventually cascade to the ground, creating a tent-like structure.
'Ruby Falls' — weeping habit with dark burgundy-red foliage; 6—10 ft; zones 5—9; combines the 'Covey' weeping structure with purple foliage. Per NC State Extension, this is one of the most visually distinctive small trees available to US gardeners.
White-flowered forms
'Alba' and 'Royal White' — white-flowered selections of C. canadensis, 20—30 ft, zones 4—9. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, 'Royal White' has heavier flower production than 'Alba' and is the preferred selection. White-flowered redbuds are less commonly available but provide a distinctly different spring display — pure white on the bare stems.
Double-flowered forms
'Flame' — double pink flowers, unusual in the genus; per Missouri Botanical Garden, a specimen curiosity but longer-lasting individual flowers than single forms; zones 5—9; standard tree size.
Compact forms
'Ace of Hearts' — 8—12 ft tall, wider than tall (to 15 ft); dense rounded habit; rosy-pink flowers; per NC State Extension, one of the best compact redbuds for small landscapes and urban planting; zones 5—9.
'Little Woody' (North Carolina Botanical Garden) — 8—10 ft; compact; zones 5—9; per NC State, introduced specifically for small urban spaces.