About
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' is a sizable deciduous shrub or a small, frequently multi-stemmed tree. Its broad, heart-shaped leaves can reach up to 12 cm across, showcasing a deep red-purple hue that shifts to orange, bronze, and red-purple as autumn approaches. In spring, before the foliage emerges, clusters of small, vivid pink flowers bloom on the bare branches. This cultivar is primarily appreciated for its distinctive foliage.
About the genus
Cercis consists of deciduous shrubs or small trees characterized by their heart-shaped foliage. The plants produce clusters of vibrant pink pea-like blossoms that emerge either before or alongside the leaves. After flowering, they develop flattened pods that are deep purple in color.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; plant in final location when young, older plants resent transplanting
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 7 if carried out in dry weather in late spring or early summer to deter the entry of decay organisms
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in autumn and semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to leafhoppers and scale insects
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to verticillium wilt, coral spot and honey fungus