Cercis canadensis 'Hearts of Gold'
Gold-Leaf Eastern Redbud

Family:

Fabaceae (Bean Family) 50

Genus:

Cercis (Redbud) 15

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 571

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 515

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 836

Flower Notes:

Pink (Purplish-pink (lavender) flower clusters in early spring)

Foliage Notes:

Orange (Reddish-orange newly emerging leaves in spring); Yellow (Yellow to bright green summer foliage); Yellow (Yellow fall foliage)

Stem Notes:

Dark reddish brown to black, stems are spreading and ascending, slender. glabrous

Fruit Notes:

Green (Flattened green seed pods that eventually mature to brown in late summer)

Ultimate Height:

15-20 feet

Ultimate Spread:

15-20 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Grows in soil of low fertility and higher alkalinity

Range:

Cultivated origin

Maintenance:

Low 264

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Cordate (heart-shaped), 3-5" long and wide leaves are alternate and simple, with pulvinus (distinct swelling) just below the blade. Young leaves emerge red-orange, turning yellow, ultimately becoming bright green near the end of summer. Stems form a zig-zag pattern. Flowers are small (0.5" long), lavender, and pea-like. Bark on older mature trees can be an attractive brownish-black with orange inner bark showing through.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187

Notable Bark 168

Notable Texture 282

Showy Flowers 60

Additional Information

'Hearts of Gold' is a striking redbud cultivar with reddish-orange tinted emerging leaves that turn bright yellow and finally deepen to a bright green towards the end of the summer. The yellow color develops most intensely under higher light conditions. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant (although the yellow foliage color will become green in drought conditions). Canker, leaf spot, and verticillium wilt can be problematic for older trees, or trees weakened by other environmental stresses. Long tap root means that older plants transplant poorly.