Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy - Eastern Redbud

The Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy', also known as the Canadian Redbud, is a type of Purple Judas Tree with a bushy habit and stunning deciduous foliage. It is adorned with large, heart-shaped, shiny leaves that are red-purple. The tree produces bright pink but sparse flowers clustered in bouquets on bare branches. It is easy for gardeners to cultivate and live with due to its hardiness and drought resistance. When planted alone or in the background of a flower bed, the purple Judas tree looks dazzling.

The Cercis canadensis is a species of the Fabaceae family, native to Canada. A small tree or bush grows up to 5 metres (16 feet 5 inches) tall and 3 metres feet 10 inches) wide. This plant has a bushy habit and has branched growth from its base. The flowers appear before the leaves, typically in April, and are found directly on the branches, even those located at the base of the bush. In the Forest Pansy cultivar, the flowers are sparse, shaped like pea flowers, and pink in colour, with a very vivid shade. The deciduous foliage emerges as a reddish-purple colour, then turns into a shiny purple-red, and finally changes to yellow in autumn. The leaves are heart-shaped and measure 8 to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) in length. The fruits, which appear in autumn, have a pod-like shape and are also interesting.

The Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' is a shrub that can grow in all types of soil as long as the soil has good drainage. It grows well in sunny areas but can tolerate semi-shaded locations sheltered from cold winds. Once established, it can withstand drought conditions, making it ideal for sunny or dry gardens. It is also very hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as -25°C. Its natural habit is bushy, but it can be trained to grow upright by pruning it from the start.

The Canadian Redbud displays its splendour when planted alone on a lawn or as a background shrub in a massif with other shrubs. You can pair it with a summer-flowering clematis that isn't too tall to brighten up its purple foliage for a striking effect. For instance, the delicate white frills of the Clematis Maria Skłodowska Curie would be an excellent choice.