Do Cercis Canadensis Grow Fast?

Identification

• Native to Central and North America, the eastern redbud is winter hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze-colored in springtime, turn green and then change to yellow before falling off the tree in fall. In urban landscapes, the tree will usually live between 10 and 20 years, though in less stressful landscapes -- where urban stresses, disease and pests are less common -- it can live longer.

Growth Rate

• The growth rate of the eastern redbud is not simply linear, however, as the tree does not grow at an even rate. Although it starts out growing quite rapidly in its early years, after 10 years or so it slows to a more moderate rate. This means it is gaining 24 or inches or more of height annually within the first 10 years, and then growing between 12 and 24 inches each year thereafter. It tops out at around 15 feet of height and spread, giving it a roundish vase shape, but in ideal conditions it can double both figures.

Culture

• The eastern redbud grows well in full sun or partial shade, so long as the shade is quite light. It prefers well-drained, deep soil with a good amount of moisture. Though eastern redbud grows best long-term in rich, fertile soils, it will adapt to a range of moisture levels, soil pHs, and will even grow in clays or near black walnuts, which can be toxic to some plants. Keep it away from wet soils, however, as these make the plant more prone to verticillium wilt. The tree is also prone to trunk canker, which can kill it prematurely.

Garden Uses

• The eastern redbud naturalizes well, and so works well for a wild setting or informal garden where it is grouped in organic-looking clusters or used as an informal hedge. It can also be used for a more formal hedge, as a street tree, or as a specimen tree in springtime, when the tree produces three or so weeks of lavender flowers in April, before foliage appears. Eastern redbud also works well as a foundation planting or growing next to entryways.