Tree Categories: Flowering Trees and Ornamental Trees
Mature Tree Height: Less than 20 feet tall | Mature Tree Width: 10-20 feet wide
Tree Growing Zones: Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, and Zone 9
The Merlot Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’) is a small- to medium-sized flowering tree. With an upright, vase-shaped form and dense branching habit, this tree is known to catch the eye in hotter landscapes. It has wine-red leaves that are heart shaped and have resistance to leaf scorch during the summer. In the spring you can also expect the distinctive rose-pink Redbud flowers that bloom in early spring to cover the bare branches and welcome the warmer months.
The Merlot Eastern Redbud is a hybrid of the Redbud cultivars ‘Texas White’ and ‘Forest Pansy.’ It was introduced by North Carolina State University and the JC Ralston Arboretum in 2009. It gets its purple foliage from the ‘Forest Pansy’ variety and superior heat and drought tolerance from the ‘Texas White’ variety. It can be planted in small groups among each other for a more conspicuous effect or it can stand alone in gardens or small yards and steal the show on its own. It grows best in full to partial sun and can tolerate a variety of soil types.
