Cercis canadensis 'Alba'
White Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis ′Alba′ - Flowering Habit

Family:

Fabaceae (Bean Family) 48

Genus:

Cercis (Redbud) 14

Plant Type:

Tree 562

Growth Forms:

Upright 552

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 500

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 815

Flower Notes:

White (Small white flowers in the spring)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Yellow fall foliage)

Fruit Notes:

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

Ultimate Height:

20-30 feet

Ultimate Spread:

25-35 feet

Bloom Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Grows in soil of low fertility and higher alkalinity

Range:

Cultivated origin

Maintenance:

Low 211

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 are yellowish-green, lacking the anthocyanin of the straight species. Stems form a zig-zag pattern. Flowers are small (0.5" long), white, and pea-like. Bark on older mature trees can be an attractive brownish-black with orange inner bark showing through.

Ecological Functions:

Pollen and/or Nectar Producer 240

Special Characteristics:

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186

Notable Bark 165

Notable Texture 278

Showy Flowers 33

Additional Information

'Alba' is a white-flowering Eastern Redbud ("Whitebud"). 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.