This species is not widely available nor is it recommended for NC gardens. Please consider planting Cercis canadensis and its cultivars. Introduced in 1907 by E. H. Wilson, Chain-flowered Redbud is distinct from any other Redbuds in having long racemes of flowers which can be up to 4 inches long and contain upwards of 40 pale pink to lavender flowers. These long racemes make Cercis racemosa distinct from other species. In addition, the downy character of the young wood, as well as leaf and flower stalk markings are distinctive in this species. It is easily grown in any rich, well-drained soil in a sunny to a partially shaded spot. The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated, form leguminous pods, the seeds can be consumed by birds. Trees will grow to about 25 feet tall (occasionally taller) and wide and tend to have a very open habit. The foliage is the typical heart shape of the rest of the genus. Grow this plant in full sun to part shade in moist soils. It is best adapted to warmer climates. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis which means weaver's shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver's shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer. Failure to protect from temperatures lower than -5 degrees F may lead to flower bud kill and stem injury. Cold damage will also make the plant more susceptible to damage from insects and diseases.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Light green to blue-green, heart-shaped leaves. Young leaves have glaucous undersides with purplish veins.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Lipped
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Light pink to silver/rose/purple flowers are produced in mid-spring, in 2-4"-long, pendulous chains of 20-40 flowers, resembling wisteria in appearance. Flower color is not as vivid as other redbud types.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The brown/tan seed pod is wide, flat and glabrous. They will grow to 3-4" long and 3/4" wide.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Brown
Bark detail
Larger branches are gray to sandy-brown. Smooth, gray bark on older trees.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern & Central China
Wildlife value
The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods, the seed can be consumed by birds. Members of the genus Cercis support the following specialized bee: Habropoda laboriosa.