Redbud Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' (PBR)
ABOUT
Ruby Falls is a captivating ornamental plant known for its weeping habit and stunning foliage. This variant exhibits a cascade of heart-shaped leaves that display a deep, rich purple color when they first emerge. As the seasons progress, the leaves mature to a burgundy or greenish-purple shade, offering a striking contrast with the early spring blossoms. In the spring, the plant is adorned with a profusion of small, pea-like flowers. These blooms cluster along its branches, enveloping the plant in a blanket of rosy-pink to lavender tones. The bright, cheerful flowers stand out vividly against the darker foliage, making Ruby Falls a focal point in any garden landscape. The overall form of Ruby Falls is unique, with branches that gracefully weep downwards, creating a flowing, elegant profile. The texture of the leaves is smooth, adding a sense of lush softness to the plant's appearance. This weeping feature combined with the heart-shaped foliage and vibrant seasonal blooms gives Ruby Falls a romantic and picturesque look that enhances a variety of garden settings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Fabaceae.
Synonyms
Eastern Redbud, American Redbud, Canadian Redbud, Ruby Falls Redbud.
Common names
Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
Redbud, specifically the 'Ruby Falls' variety, is not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, ingestion of this plant typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse effects.
To pets
Redbud, including the 'Ruby Falls' cultivar, is not considered toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Ingestion of this plant should not cause poisoning or serious health issues in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Purple
Flower color
Pink
Height
6 feet (1.83 meters)
Spread
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Features beautiful cascading branches with heart-shaped maroon-red leaves, offering a dramatic display in gardens.
- Compact Size: 'Ruby Falls' has a small, weeping form making it an ideal choice for smaller landscapes or as a focal point in larger gardens.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides year-round interest with its unique foliage, springtime flowers, and sculptural winter silhouette.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Pollinator-Friendly: The early spring blooms attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Adaptability: 'Ruby Falls' is adaptable to a range of soil conditions, though it prefers well-draining soil.
- Cold Hardiness: It is hardy in many climates, capable of withstanding cold temperatures in winter.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Backdrop: The sweeping, weeping habit of Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' provides an elegant and colorful background for outdoor photography, especially popular during its peak flowering season.
- Natural Dye: The flowers and leaves may be used to produce natural dyes for textiles and crafts, offering hues ranging from light greens to soft yellows.
- Educational Tool: Educational institutions may utilize the unique 'Ruby Falls' cultivar to teach students about plant breeding, genetics, and the development of new plant varieties.
- Garden Sculpture: When leafless in winter, the contorted branches of Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' can serve as a natural sculpture, providing visual interest to a garden landscape.
- Wedding Decor: Its pendulous branches adorned with heart-shaped leaves or springtime flowers can serve as a romantic and natural decor element in outdoor weddings.
- Bonsai Specimen: The compact size and unique weeping form of Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' make it a potential candidate for bonsai cultivation, though it requires skillful pruning and care.
- Honey Plant: While it is not common, its flowers can be a source of nectar for bees when more preferred plants are not in bloom, indirectly supporting honey production.
- Seasonal Festivities: The vibrant springtime flowers can be integrated into seasonal decorations or celebrations, such as Easter or spring festivals, symbolizing renewal and new beginnings.
- Sensory Garden Addition: The varied textures and colors of the 'Ruby Falls' Eastern Redbud can be an engaging addition to sensory gardens designed for educational and therapeutic purposes.
- Privacy Screening: Although not a typical choice for privacy, the dense foliage and habit of 'Ruby Falls' can create private nooks within a larger garden landscape when strategically placed.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Eastern Redbud is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Eastern Redbud is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Renewal and Hope: Cercis canadensis, commonly known as Eastern Redbud, often blooms early in spring, symbolizing the onset of a new season and the hope that comes with it.
- Love: The heart-shaped leaves of the Eastern Redbud are said to represent love and affection.
- Fertility: With its prolific spring blossoms, the tree is often associated with fertility and the continuation of life.
- Beauty: The attractive pink to purple flowers of the Eastern Redbud offer a symbol of natural beauty.
- Purity: In some cultures, the pure and vivid color of the redbud’s flowers may represent purity and spiritual health.
WaterThe Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' prefers consistent moisture but does not tolerate standing water. During its first growing season, water it deeply once a week to help establish a robust root system. In the absence of rain, mature trees benefit from a deep watering every two weeks. It's best to provide about 5 gallons of water at each watering session, avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. Adjust the frequency according to weather conditions, watering more often during hot, dry spells and less during cool, rainy periods.
LightEastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is best positioned in a spot where it receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. An area with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal to protect it from the harsh afternoon sun, especially in hotter regions.
TemperatureThe Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, tolerating minimum temperatures down to -20°F and flourishing in maximum temperatures typical of these zones. It performs best when spring temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F. During the growing season, it enjoys a range of temperatures between 70°F and 85°F.
PruningPrune the Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' to maintain its structure, remove damaged branches, and enhance its weeping form. The best time to prune is in the winter or early spring before new growth starts. It is generally sufficient to prune every 2 to 3 years, selectively removing any crossed or inward-growing branches to preserve the tree's beauty and health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' thrives in well-draining soil, rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 to 8.0. A mix of loamy soil, compost, and peat moss is ideal.
RepottingEastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' is generally not repotted as it's a landscape tree, but young trees can be planted out every 2-3 years if grown in containers.
Humidity & MistingEastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' tolerates average outdoor humidity levels well and does not have specific humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Not ideal for indoor growth; requires ample space, light.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade, protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA.
Life cycle'Ruby Falls' redbud begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically in spring, under suitable soil and temperature conditions. The seedling stage follows, where the plant establishes a root system and starts to put out its first leaves. As it enters the vegetative growth stage, it develops a distinctive weeping habit with heart-shaped leaves and a branching structure. When mature, usually after several years, it enters the reproductive stage, producing striking pink to purple flowers before the foliage emerges in the spring. After flowering, seed pods develop which eventually dry and release seeds, completing the cycle. As a perennial tree, 'Ruby Falls' redbud can enter the flowering and seeding stages annually for many years once maturity is reached.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating the Eastern Redbud 'Ruby Falls' is through grafting, which is generally done in winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. This involves taking a piece of stem with dormant buds from the 'Ruby Falls' variety and joining it onto the rootstock of a common Eastern Redbud which acts as the supportive base. The selected scion, which is usually about 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 centimeters), is cut at an angle to provide a large surface area for joining. Next, a corresponding cut is made on the rootstock, and the scion is positioned so that the cambium layers of both the scion and rootstock match up. The join is held together with grafting tape or a similarly secure material, and the point of grafting is often covered with a sealant to protect against disease and moisture loss. Over time, the scion will grow and develop into a new 'Ruby Falls' tree, retaining the weeping habit and ornamental features of the grafted variety.
