Rain Garden Plants: Eastern Redbud
The Eastern redbud is a small, understory flowering tree. It can grow in
full sun but prefers some shade and does not tolerate heat or drought.
The trunk may be single or multistemmed. Showy pink to light purple
flowers appear before or during leaf emergence. They grow close to
the branches and sometimes on the trunk, providing a nectar source
for pollinators. Large, heart-shaped leaves grow alternately on the
stems and turn a clear yellow in the fall. The seeds are brown to black
pea-like pods that remain on the tree throughout winter, providing food
for songbirds. It is also a host plant for several moth species (e.g.,
the Io moth and white-marked tussock moth). A 3- to 4-inch layer of
organic mulch can protect the tree's shallow root system.
Height: 15 to 30 feet
Bloom color: Pink, purple
Bloom time: Early spring to April
Hardiness zone: 4 to 9
Salt tolerance: Intolerant of soil salt and salt spray
Site Conditions
Sun: Sun/Shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained to occasionally dry soil; tolerant of acid or
alkaline soils
Hydrologic zone: Moist
Sources
The Morton Arboretum, Redbud
Prepared by Jodi Sulpizio, Beth Yount, Vincent Cotrone, Constance Schmotzer, and Jessica Chou.
Finalized by Jodi Sulpizio.
