Cercis canadensis Royal White

Cercis canadensis Royal White (White Eastern Redbud)

Cercis canadensis Royal White, a variety of North American Redbud Tree, more commonly known as White Redbud or White Eastern Redbud, is a rare and highly decorative cultivar. An early bloomer, it’s well known for its striking display of pure white flowers and interesting, heart-shaped leaves.

A more floriferous variety, Cercis canadensis Royal White also has larger blossoms. In mid-spring, before the foliage appears, bare branches of White Redbud are completely enveloped with clusters of papilionaceous flowers. Alternate, broad, cordate leaves emerge bronze-reddish, turning dark green in the summer, to golden-yellow in the autumn. By mid-summer, the flowers mature to flat, leguminous, dry seed pods, which remain on the branches throughout winter.

A North American native, this showy tree tolerates most soil types, but it will not thrive in poorly drained soil. It prefers full sun to light shade, and it won’t perform as well if not exposed to sunlight. Cercis canadensis Royal White should be planted young since it doesn’t react well to disturbance and detests transplanting.

Hardy throughout most of Britain and Ireland, this highly ornamental tree might not be the best choice for areas with exceptionally cold winters since it doesn’t tolerate temperatures below -10 degrees. White Eastern Redbud is generally pest and disease resistant.

More compact than other cultivars, Cercis canadensis Royal White can grow to be up to 4 to 8 metres high and across. The prolific display of flowers in the spring and dense, attractive foliage make this tree a perfect statement plant. As a part of a mixed shrub border, White Redbud can be planted with low-growing bushes that bloom in summer or flowering evergreen bushes, for a beautiful border with multiple seasons of interest. The attractive features of this deciduous tree make it a great choice for a patio or lawn tree, where it can be in the spotlight, whether in full bloom or in winter, where its graceful silhouette is adorned with peculiar seed pods.