Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Eastern Redbud
Eastern Redbud is the classic redbud, a spreading tree that covers bare branches in rosy pink flowers in early spring before its heart-shaped leaves open. It is the largest of the redbuds, commonly 20 to 30 feet tall with a crown as wide or wider. The leaves turn yellow in fall. Bees and other early pollinators work the spring flowers.
Best for: a spring-flowering accent tree in a yard with afternoon shade and steady water, a focal point, and groups or borders where there is room for a wide crown.
Rosy pink flowers cover the bare branches in early spring before the leaves open. Use it as a focal point, or in a group or border.
It commonly reaches 20 to 30 feet tall with a spreading crown as wide or wider. Pick a spot with room to spread.
Redbuds do best with afternoon shade in the desert. This one also wants steady, deep water, since it comes from wetter country.
In dry heat its leaves can scorch at the edges when it runs short of water. The Texas and Mexican redbuds handle drought better. Wet, poorly drained soil can also cause trouble.
- Closer planting20 ft apart
- Wider planting25 ft apart
Water every few days for the first weeks, then stretch it out over about two months. Soak the whole root ball each time. Keep a steady schedule through the first year.
Soak it 2 to 3 feet deep and do not let it dry out in summer heat. Scorched leaf edges are a sign it needs more water. Move the water out toward the drip line as the tree grows.
Take out only dead or broken wood for the first two years. After that, prune lightly right after the spring bloom. Never remove more than a third of the tree in a season.
Plant it where it gets afternoon shade, such as an east or north side. Hot afternoon sun can burn redbud leaves, especially on young trees.
Drops its leaves in winter and leafs out again in spring.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Will Eastern Redbud grow in Phoenix?
It comes from wetter eastern forests, and in dry heat the leaves can scorch when it runs short of water. Give it afternoon shade and steady, deep water. The Texas and Mexican redbuds handle drought better.
How big does Eastern Redbud get?
It commonly grows 20 to 30 feet tall, with a spreading crown as wide or wider. It grows at a moderate pace, about 1 to 2 feet a year.
When does Eastern Redbud bloom?
It blooms in early spring, before the leaves open. Small rosy pink flowers cover the bare branches. Bees and other early pollinators visit them.
Why are my redbud leaves brown at the edges?
Scorched leaf edges on this redbud usually point to too little water in dry heat. Water deeply and on a steady schedule, and give it afternoon shade.
How often should I water Eastern Redbud?
Water it steadily and deeply. Give a new tree water every few days at first, then stretch it out as it roots in. Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep and do not let it dry out in summer.
What soil does Eastern Redbud need?
It adapts to many soils, acid or alkaline, but not soil that stays wet. Do not plant it over caliche. Fill the planting hole with water first, and make sure it drains within 12 to 24 hours.
When should I prune Eastern Redbud?
Leave it alone for the first two years except for dead or broken branches. After that, prune lightly right after it blooms. Never remove more than a third in one season.
Does Eastern Redbud drop pods?
Yes. Flat pods 2 to 3 inches long follow the flowers, turn brown and often hang on through winter. It also drops its leaves in fall, so keep it back from a pool.
Does it have fall color?
Yes. The heart-shaped leaves turn pale yellow to gold before they drop, so plant it where you can enjoy the fall color.
How cold can Eastern Redbud take?
It is very cold hardy and takes winter temperatures well below 0°F, so it needs no frost cover in the Valley.
Eastern Redbud vs Texas or Mexican Redbud?
All three are the same species. Texas and Mexican redbud are more compact, about 15 to 20 feet, and more drought tolerant, with thicker, glossier leaves. Eastern Redbud grows larger and needs more water.
Eastern Redbud for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is the redbud of eastern North America, known for rosy pink flowers on bare branches each spring. It grows larger than the Texas and Mexican forms. Below is what to expect, including size, sun and shade, water, soil, pruning, litter, and how it compares with the desert-adapted redbuds.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Can you grow Eastern Redbud in Arizona?
Eastern Redbud comes from wetter eastern forests. In dry heat its leaves can scorch when it runs short of water, so it needs afternoon shade and steady, deep water. The Texas and Mexican redbuds handle drought better.
How big does Eastern Redbud get?
It commonly reaches 20 to 30 feet tall with a spreading crown as wide or wider. It grows at a moderate pace, about 1 to 2 feet a year.
Eastern Redbud flowers
Small rosy pink flowers cover the bare branches in early spring before the heart-shaped leaves open. Bees and other early pollinators work them.
Watering Eastern Redbud in Phoenix
Water a new tree every few days, then stretch it out over a couple of months. Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep and keep it from drying out in summer.
Eastern Redbud vs Texas Redbud
Texas Redbud is smaller, about 15 to 20 feet, and more drought tolerant, with thicker, glossier, rounder leaves. Eastern Redbud grows larger and wants more water.
Eastern Redbud pods and fall color
Flat pods 2 to 3 inches long follow the flowers and often hang on through winter. The leaves turn pale yellow to gold in fall before they drop.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.