Forest Pansy Redbud

What a perfect name for an excellent tree! Early spring flowers and fall colors are the hallmark of the Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy').

You'll be thrilled to begin your growing season with a blast of electric red purple flowers. The flower display can last for weeks long for you to enjoy. Think about it! Weeks of blooms to end the dreary winter season.

This hardy native tree is related to the Eastern Redbud. The common name of Redbud comes from those small reddish purple buds that grow along the stems, bringing the plant to life after winter. Forest Pansy is a cultivar of the wildly popular Redbud tree. This variety has the stellar qualities of the original, but the leaves are a more intensely red-purple hue.

You'll know spring has arrived when your Redbud blooms. While much of your landscape still lies dormant, Forest Pansy Redbud will be covered with a profusion of flowering clusters. Early butterflies really appreciate this native nectar source.

The bright flowers are almost fluorescent when they bloom all along the smooth gray branches before any leaves emerge. You'll be amazed by how they seem to emerge directly from the woody bark. You'll get to really enjoy the wonderful presentation of rosy-pink flowers.

The color is darkest at the start, and as they age, they'll finish to pink just as the foliage begins to unfurl. Snip a few of the fragrant blossoms to bring a little of that spring excitement indoors!

Let's talk about those leaves. The tiny leaves grow into deep, shiny, leathery looking purple colored, heart-shaped leaves. What a special gift to give someone you love!

The shiny red-purple color of the new foliage darkens to an incredible maroon. As the season progresses, the dark, leathery, purple leaves will pick up a slight green overcast, yet still hold on to the overall purple color. It's a strikingly modern display that works so well with all the vibrant perennials and shrubs available now.

The heart-shaped leaves introduce the next dramatic foliage color display in fall. Autumn arrives with the same intensity as spring, as your Redbud's leaves transform to a profusion of reds, purples, and yellows.

This native accent tree has it all: spring, summer and fall color in one easy-to-care for ornamental tree. Order today!

How to Use Forest Pansy Redbud in the Landscape

This makes a spectacular spring accent tree near your home's entrance or along a walkway or patio. Be sure to site it where you can see it from a window to maximize its positive impact for you. You'll love seeing those blooms, even on a cool day in early spring.

Give it room to reach its mature height and arching spread. The spread of the wide, flat canopy is graceful and impactful. This makes it a perfect choice for use anchoring a garden bed.

Hang birdhouses on the lower branches and place feeders nearby. Use it to highlight a really special garden sculpture. Place a low-slung hammock, a magnificent large rock, or a child's garden table and chair underneath it.

It will work beautifully in naturalized landscapes in informal groups. For this application, it looks best to choose an odd number of trees. 3, 5 or 7 planted in a gentle curve in an island garden bed make a spectacular "vista" or view from a deck. Use them to give precious sense of open, airy privacy near your patio.

They will look so beautiful planted at the edge of the woods. After all, that's where you'd find them in nature! Make sure they receive sun for the best foliage color.

How about Forest Pansy Redbud used as a perfect single specimen plant? Its beautiful form and lovely ornamental features would be a welcome addition just about anywhere. Create a special retreat or Meditation Garden to gift yourself with time "communing" with this special tree. This would be a successful focal point in an Asian-inspired Japanese Garden, as well.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Overall, this Redbud is easy to care and tolerates many different soil conditions. However, all Redbud will enjoy careful watering as the roots are getting established. While they are relatively drought-tolerant after they are established, you'll want to provide additional water as needed during the extreme drought.

They love well-drained soil, so don't plant these too deep. Instead, make sure they grow at the same soil level they grew in at the nursery. If you have heavy clay soil, it's better to "plant high" and mulch over their roots.

Mulch keeps the soil evenly moist and keeps the weeds at bay. Be careful not to put any mulch up against the trunk.

We highly recommend Root Booster placed in the bottom of the planting hole. This solution helps roots grow quickly into the native soil.

Prune to "limb up" old wood as needed to keep the lines clean and the interior of the plant nice and open for great air circulation.

What a wonderfully ornamental native tree. You'll cherish this choice! Order yours today.