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Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Redbud Forest Pansy, Forest Pansy Eastern redbud

Description

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ (red-leaved redbud) is one of the most striking cultivars of the North American redbud on account of the beautiful year-round red foliage. This selection was released in 1947 by Forest Nursery in McMinnville, Tennessee, United States. Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ grows as an irregular large shrub, small multi-stem tree or irregular standard with a round crown. The cultivar ultimately reaches a height of between 6 and 9 metres, 6 to 10 metres wide.

Before the foliage emerges, the typical pale pink papilionaceous flowers appear in small clusters, spread over the trunk and branches. Bees and butterflies are attracted to this pink cloud in the spring in search of nectar. The heart-shaped leaf emerges an exceptional dark violet to almost violet black and is roundish with a pointed tip. The foliage then becomes duller and turns deep red-violet. When the weather gets warmer in the summer, the foliage changes to dark green to violet green - in the autumn it ends up a spectacular blend of red, yellow and orange hues. In the autumn, the pods appear and they persist on the tree all winter brown in colour. Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ has violet brown twigs which later change colour to grey-brown. The trunk is also grey-brown and smooth, and peels off in chunks as the tree matures.

Just like the main species, this cultivar prefers nutrient-rich and moist sandy or loamy soils. Light shade is tolerated but sunny and sheltered sites are favoured. Paving is not tolerated: the red-leaved redbud can, therefore, only be used as a street tree if the growing site is compatible. It also looks even finer as underplanting for a road verge, garden or park. In these locations, Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ makes a wonderful single specimen in spring with its red foliage colour and striking blossom.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees solitary shrubs

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

street park central reservation in containers large garden small garden cemetery

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

flattened spherical flattened spherical

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

6 - 9 m

Width

8 - 10 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies nectar value 4 pollen value 0

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates heat

Get to know Ebben Nurseries

Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

Make an appointment

Place order or further information?

Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
Our planting advisors

Photos

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Seasonal colours

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

raceme papilionaceous striking singular small

Flower colour

dark pink

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds red dark red-violet

Leaves

deciduous cordate nitrogen fixing

Autumn colour

yellow-orange orange-red red-violet

Fruits

Fruit colour

red-brown

Fruits

striking pod

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling slightly furrowed smooth

Twigs

Twig colour

brown-violet

Twigs

bare zigzagging horizontal branches

Root system

Root system

deep extensive coarse roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Geographic location
Winter hardiness zone
OK
Coastal area
OK
Use
Location
OK
Pavement
OK
Host plant/forage plant
OK
Planting concepts
OK
Types of planting
Tree types
OK
Multi-stemmed trees
OK
Crown structure
OK
Crown shape
OK
Topiary on stem
OK
Topiary
OK
Height
m
-
m
OK
Width
m
-
m
OK
Aspects
Wind
OK
Soil
OK
Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
OK
Light requirements
OK
PH range
OK
Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
-
December
OK
Flower colour
OK
Leaf colour
OK
Autumn colour
OK
Fruit colour
OK
Bark colour
OK
Special features
OK
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