Description RProduct Name: Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’ Common Name: Merlot Eastern Redbud Botanical Family: Fabaceae Origin: North America (cultivar developed in the United States) Plant Type: Deciduous Ornamental Tree Description Cercis canadensis ‘Merlot’ is a compact, ornamental tree prized for its stunning deep purple foliage and profuse display of vibrant pink to magenta pea-like flowers. A hybrid between Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ and a Texas variety (Cercis texensis), ‘Merlot’ offers enhanced heat and drought tolerance, making it a robust performer in a wide range of Australian climates. Its upright form and medium growth habit make it an ideal feature tree for small gardens, courtyards, or urban landscapes. The heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring as a rich burgundy-purple and retain their coloration well into summer. Foliage may transition to a vibrant reddish-bronze in autumn, depending on climate conditions. Specifications • Height at Maturity: 3–4 metres • Width at Maturity: 3–4 metres • Growth Habit: Upright, vase-shaped; moderately fast-growing • Foliage Colour: Deep burgundy to purple; holds colour through summer • Flowering Period: Late winter to early spring • Flower Colour: Rosy pink to magenta • Fragrance: Mildly fragrant • Deciduous: Yes • Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soils; adaptable to clay, loam, or sandy types • pH Range: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5) • Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade • Water Requirements: Low to moderate once established • Frost Tolerance: Moderate to high • Drought Tolerance: High once established • Maintenance Level: Low; benefits from formative pruning Landscape Uses • Feature or specimen tree • Urban and courtyard gardens • Mixed borders and shrubbery beds • Small-space landscaping • Wildlife-friendly gardens (attracts bees and butterflies) Order online now or contact Blerick Tree Farm for expert advice on planting and care.
