Cercis canadensis

A small-medium deciduous tree that comes to us from North America. The significant hallmark of Cercis canadensis is of course its spectacular, bright pink blooms that appear in early spring. These are dense clusters of small pea-like flowers that appear on the branches and cover the entire tree with a unique, striking and impressive appearance. After flowering in spring, the leaves will bloom in reddish hues. Once adult, the tree has fresh, green foliage. The unblemished leaves of the tree are heart-shaped, typical of trees in the Cercis genus. In the summer, the tree is covered with small brown pods that overtake the appearance of the tree. Its leaves turn yellow before falling in autumn. The trunk tree is usually short, low split, grooved and dark red-brown.

Cercis canadensis is very similar to Cercis siliquastrum and even flowers simultaneously with it. How can you differentiate between the two cultivars then? Cercis canadensis grows faster and reaches a greater height than the local Cercis siliquastrum, and its flowering is usually lighter than that of Cercis siliquastrum, but not drastically. Furthermore, its structure is more upright than the local Cercis, and its foliage is greener and more vital throughout the year. Cercis canadensis is easier to design, and it will be a bit more handsome as a street tree, both due to the fact that it doesn’t grow offshoots like its local siblings. It requires relatively little water and will thrive even in relatively dry areas, although it will excel in cool and rainy areas.

Interestingly, Cercis canadensis is the official tree of the US state of Oklahoma.

In the same family: Cercis siliquastrum | Cercis siliquastrum ‘Alba’ | Cercis canadensis | Cercis canadensis pendula | Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ | Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’