Eastern Redbud (Alba)
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud (Alba) (Cercis canadensis) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 25–30 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Eastern redbud is borderline in our alkaline soils and intense sun, choose Western seed strains ('Oklahoma', 'Minnesota Strain', var. texensis) and plant in a protected microclimate.
medium water20–30 ft tall and 25–30 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 20–30 ft tall and 25–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Spreading
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Bloom color
- pink, purple
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- Watch: ExposureIt wants shelter; open, windy, reflected-heat sites batter it, so tuck it against a building or a windbreak.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Eastern Redbud (Alba) good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Eastern Redbud (Alba) is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- Why is Eastern Redbud (Alba) only conditionally recommended on the Front Range?
- The main catches here: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How big does Eastern Redbud (Alba) get?
- It matures to about 20–30 ft tall and 25–30 ft wide.
- How much room does Eastern Redbud (Alba) need?
- Give Eastern Redbud (Alba) about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Eastern Redbud (Alba) grow into?
- Eastern Redbud (Alba) typically grows into a wide, spreading habit, broader than it is tall, give it room and keep it back from buildings. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Eastern Redbud (Alba) hardy on the Front Range?
- Eastern Redbud (Alba) is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Eastern Redbud (Alba) need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Eastern Redbud (Alba) grow?
- Eastern Redbud (Alba) is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Eastern Redbud (Alba) live?
- Eastern Redbud (Alba) has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Eastern Redbud (Alba) native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Eastern Redbud (Alba) deer-resistant?
- Eastern Redbud (Alba) is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
