Cercis canadensis Royal White - Eastern Redbud

Cercis Canadensis 'Royal White' is a variety of Eastern Redbud that stands out with its abundant and spectacular pure white flowering. Like its more common cousin, the Judas tree with pink flowers, this small tree produces numerous clusters of flowers before the leaves, in April-May. Their immaculate whiteness is therefore highlighted by the dark bark to which the flower clusters are directly attached. At the end of flowering, the delicately heart-shaped leaves emerge in turn. They are of a beautiful bright green tone and turn yellow in autumn. Easy to grow, this Redbud thrives in various soils, even slightly lime-rich, and is resistant to pollution, making it an ideal subject for small urban gardens.

Cercis canadensis is a tree native to the eastern and central United States, belonging to the large family of Fabaceae (better known by its former name of Leguminosae). It can reach 12 m (39 ft 5 in) in height in its wild habitats but rarely exceeds 4 to 7 m (13 ft 1 in to 23 ft) in cultivation. It forms a more or less twisted tree, with branches near the ground, often wider than it is tall. The Eastern Redbud has given rise to numerous varieties with distinct habits, flower or leaf colours.

Cercis canadensis 'Royal White' is an American cultivar that dates back to 1940. Like all representatives of the genus Cercis, its leaves are deciduous and turn yellow before falling in autumn. The 'Royal White' variety reaches about 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in height in 10 years, spreading widely over 4 m (13 ft 1 in) or more. Flowering takes place in April-May depending on the climate: its still leafless branches are adorned with abundant white flowering, slightly yellow-green at the base. The flowers are particularly numerous, papilionaceous, grouped in clusters along the branches. Once flowering is over, this Eastern Redbud is adorned with heart-shaped leaves, slightly bronzy in color when they first emerge, then of a beautiful bright green tone until autumn. It then takes on beautiful yellow colors to announce winter.

This lovely small tree, particularly decorative in spring and autumn, is very hardy and can be planted in many areas. Not demanding, it adapts to different types of soils, even tolerating a certain amount of lime, provided the soil is well-draining. Preferring full sun, it also tolerates partial shade and does not require special pruning. It is a particularly accommodating and valuable plant for small gardens, especially in urban areas.
Its abundant white flowering will be well accompanied by shrubs with red flowers such as Weigela 'All Summer Red' with its exceptional flowering from April to September, or a Japanese quince. The lovely little Chinese lilac (Syringa microphylla 'Superba') with its subtle, fragrant pink flowers will also be an excellent companion for the 'Royal White' Redbud.