Merlot Redbud

Overview: A redbud grown for its glossy, deep burgundy-purple foliage with pink spring blooms.

Mature size: Varies by cultivar, generally 15–25 ft. tall and wide.

Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade; flowers best with more sun, tolerates shade as an understory tree

Flowering season: Early spring, before the leaves emerge

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9

Water needs: Average; drought-tolerant once established, but can be tricky to transplant bare-root — small potted plants establish best

Special features: A hybrid selection noted for holding its dark foliage color better through summer heat than many purple-leaf redbuds. Native flowering understory tree with pea-like blooms that often appear directly on the trunk and older branches, followed by heart-shaped leaves; shallow-rooted, so plant at the correct depth and avoid disturbing the root zone; often multi-trunked

Wildlife value: Early-season nectar for bees; host plant for several native butterfly species

Botanical name: Cercis x 'Merlot'

Category: Shrubs & Trees