Cercis canadensis 'Rubye Atkinson'
Pink Flowering Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis ′Rubye Atkinson′ - Overall Habit

Family:

Fabaceae (Bean Family) 48

Genus:

Cercis (Redbud) 14

Plant Type:

Tree 579

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 497

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 807

Flowers:

Pink (Pure pink flowers, compared to the purple-pink flowers of the species type; early spring)

Foliage:

Red-Violet (Young and emerging leaves); Green (Attractive green, heart-shaped foliage in the summer); Yellow (Fall foliage)

Fruit:

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

Ultimate Height:

20-30 feet

Ultimate Spread:

25-35 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Prefers deep, moist, well-drained soils, but adaptable to acidic and alkaline soils

Range:

Cultivated origin

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Cordate (heart-shaped), 3-5" long and wide leaves are alternate and simple, with conspicuous swelling (pulvinus) just below the blade. Young leaves emerge with a red-purple tinge. Stems form a zig-zag pattern. Flowers are small (0.5" long), pure pink, and pea-like. Bark on older mature trees can be an attractive brownish-black with orange inner bark showing through.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 436

Additional Information

'Rubye Atkkinson' has strongly pink and slightly smaller flowers, distinctly different from the purplish-pink flowers of the straight species. A fine small tree that is relatively trouble-free and drought-resistant. Requires some protection from the sun in hotter climates, however flowering decreases with deep shade. 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.