Carolina Sweetheart
Cercis canadensis (SER-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis)
Carolina Sweetheart™ redbud is a deciduous, often multi-trunked, understory tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family. It has a rounded crown and typically matures to 20 to 30 feet tall with a slightly larger spread. This cultivar was developed as a collaborative project by NC State University and Star Roses and Plants Nursery. The parent plant is native to eastern and central North America, from North Carolina to east Mexico. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis, which means weaver's shuffle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver’s shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom. Like other redbuds, Carolina Sweetheart is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It performs best in moderately fertile soils with regular and consistent moisture, and partial shade is best in hot summer climates. Avoid wet or poorly drained soils. Because this tree does not transplant well, it should be planted when young and left undisturbed. A carnival of color in early summer as new leaves emerge, Carolina Sweetheart redbud starts out with pink flowers in early spring. Then the new leaves emerge purple, but over time, they gain various shades of white, green, and hot pink. Eventually, the leaves turn green in the summer. Site this plant as a specimen or small flowering tree in the garden or woodlands. It is especially suited to a pollinator or winter garden. Redbuds, along with Dogwoods, grow on woodland edges and bring a welcome vibrancy of color in very early spring before other trees have leafed out. U.S. Plant Patent Applied for (PPAF). Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Insect pests include Japanese beetles, treehoppers, leafhoppers, caterpillars, borers, webworms, and scale. Canker can be a significant disease problem. Verticillium wilt, dieback, leaf spots, mildew, and blights may also occur. Keeping the tree vigorous by regular watering and fertilization and by pruning out dead branches as needed will help keep the tree healthy. Whitetail deer browse the foliage and can damage the tree by eating the bark. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Cercis canadensis .
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 48 attributes.