Other Names:  Eastern Redbud, Judas Tree, Love Tree

Description:

A spectacular variety that is showy all season: pink-lavender flowers held tightly on bare branches in early spring; foliage emerges orange-gold, then matures to yellow-gold with green margins ; yellow fall color; a great small ornamental tree

Ornamental Features

Solar Eclipse Redbud has pink pea-like flowers with lavender overtones along the branches from early to mid spring before the leaves. It has attractive gold foliage edged in green with hints of yellow which emerges orange in spring. The heart-shaped leaves are highly ornamental and turn yellow in fall. The rough dark brown bark and coral-pink branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Solar Eclipse Redbud is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Solar Eclipse Redbud is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Solar Eclipse Redbud will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.