Cercis canadensis 'NC2016-2' ETERNAL FLAME (FLAME THROWER™) redbud
Cercis
The genus Cercis, commonly known as redbud, includes around ten species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere – from North America through Southern Europe to Eastern Asia. All species share several distinctive traits: heart-shaped leaves reminiscent of the iconic symbol of love, and early spring flowering, when small blossoms appear directly on bare wood – on branches and trunks, before the leaves emerge. The flowers have the typical shape of legumes, as redbuds belong to the Fabaceae family. In gardens, the most cultivated species are Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud), Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree), and Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud), each offering a wide range of cultivars with varying growth habits and foliage colours.
Eastern redbud originates from the eastern regions of North America – from southeastern Canada through the Great Lakes area down to Texas and Florida. The first botanical records of this species date back to the 16th century, when it was described by Spanish and French naturalists. In the 18th century, it reached European botanical gardens, quickly gaining popularity thanks to its early flowering and elegant form. Thomas Jefferson planted it in his gardens at Monticello, and George Washington recommended it for shrubbery plantings. In Native American culture, redbud had practical uses – its flowers were edible, and medicinal infusions were made from its bark. Today, it symbolizes spring and hope and has even become the official state tree of Oklahoma.
Dennis James Werner is a Distinguished Professor of Horticultural Sciences at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, USA, and a breeder who specializes in buddleja, peaches, and redbuds. Regarding the last mentioned he has developed and already patented 8 beautiful varieties, some of which are recognized and very successful also in Europe, e.g., Ruby Falls and Merlot.
Another gem of his is called FLAME THROWER™ in USA and in Europe it is marketed under a slightly different name ETERNAL FLAME. It is a cross between his own varieties RISING SUN and an unnamed seedling with purple foliage and weeping habit. US patent No. PP31260 was granted in 2019 and the variety was launched in Europe in 2021 at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, where it won the highest award Plant of the Year 2021.
ETERNAL FLAME is, without exaggeration, a jewel not only among redbuds but deciduous shrubs in general. It bears large, broadly ovate to heart-shaped leaves 8-11 cm across and a dynamic mix of colours. New leaves emerge dark maroon and glossy, they soon turn fiery red and copper orange, and later they mature to somewhat chartreuse. In other words, you have multiple colors in a row along one branch. And what’s best is that this spectacular show is not just a question of spring as with many other deciduous shrubs. Here it you can enjoy a firework of vibrant colours all season long until autumn, hence its name Eternal Flame. In early spring, tiny, bright pink, pea-like flowers appear on miniature stalks on bare wood.
ETERNAL FLAME redbud grows rather fast (40-50 cm per year) under optimal growing conditions into a broadly funnel-shaped shrub with slightly arching ends. You can grow it as a multi-stemmed shrub or a single-stemmed tree. Young branches tolerate trimming and pruning, but older plants dislike cutting into old wood which might result in fungi infection.
Eastern redbud is relatively soil tolerant but does best in moist but well-drained soil. It resents transplanting. For the best foliage colour grow it in full sun, young plants benefit from some shelter from drying winds. It is hardy to min. -29 °C (USDA zone 5), possibly yet a few degrees lower.
Last update 29-08-2023
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
