

Illustrated Guide to grow the Eastern Redbud from Seed
1 – Obtain Redbud Seeds.

2 – Prepare / scarify the seed.


3 – Prepare pots for planting.
4 – Winter-sow the seeds
Since these plants need stratification, it is best to let mother nature do the work for you via winter sowing! [6] You can just cover the pots in the lid they came in, or a plastic dome. Just poke holes in them so that air can circulate and that some water may enter. Since I generally grow many plants that need cold stratification, I purchase a plastic dome that fits over my tray of seeds. I then poke plenty of holes in the plastic, and secure the dome with twine and duct tape.

Set the tray outside, where it can get some sunlight in the morning, and wait until Spring. But note – it is best to keep your containers with Eastern Redbud seeds in an unheated garage or shed during the coldest parts of the Winter. Temperatures below freezing at night are fine, but don’t let the entire container freeze for prolonged periods.
Once the outside temperature starts to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit you should remove the plastic cover. Since the dome acts as a little greenhouse the temperature will be much hotter inside. I’ve cooked young seeds/seedlings this way, so learn from my mistakes! Remove the cover and just let mother nature germinate/grow your seeds. Below is a brief video showing how I prepare flats for winter sowing.
Note – if you are having a mild winter, or are trying to germinate this seed in Spring you will need to ‘trick’ the seed into thinking it has gone through a winter by a process called cold stratification. The easiest way to do this is to place some seed in a paper towel, then fold twice so it is 1/4 the original size. Then spray the towel with water so that it is moist (but not sopping wet). Put it in a zip-lock bag and place into the refrigerator for one month. Then you can plant the seed into soil.
5 – Wait for your germination
Once your seeds start germinating, I let them grow in their tiny six packs until true leaves form. Once I get true leaves, I wait a day or two then soak the cells heavily and remove the seedling. They will pull right up out of the potting soil. I then immediately replant them in a large pot so they can grow to a large size during the summer. Then in the fall, I will transplant the young sapling into its final location to hopefully flourish!



6 – Plant your saplings

It is best to wait until early Fall to plant your saplings. That way the young tree won’t have much water demand since the outdoor temperature will be cooler. Also, the roots will grow long past the frost dates and better establish themselves. I’ve spoken to professional landscapers that plant most perennials and trees well into Fall with good success. The picture below is one I planted in mid-October (I’m in Pennsylvania, zone 6) and it has been just fine.
Video Guide
Below is a video guide I made some years back documenting the process of germinating Redbud seeds. It is concise and shows the entire process well. I hope you enjoy it!
Transplanting Redbud Seedlings
Once you’ve germinated your seeds, allow them to grow for several weeks until they develop several sets of ‘true leaves’. Once they do, you can transplant them to their final location. For choosing the right spot, try to match their growing conditions of full or part-sun and well-draining soil.
I also recommend you protect the young seedlings with a cage or tree shelter. Even though the trees are moderately deer resistant, young growth is always at risk of browsing from deer or rabbits.
Background on the Redbud Tree
The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a flowering deciduous tree that is native to North America. This tree grows 25-30′ tall (8 m- 10 m) and has approximately a 25′ spread. It will grow fastest in full sun, but since it is an understory tree it can still survive in full shade. It will just grow slower.
This tree is commonly used as an flowering ornamental in many yards and businesses and is a great alternative to the ecologically invasive and damaging Callery Pear tree. It is a great source of nectar to early season pollinators, and very attractive.
More facts and growing information about the Redbud Tree are available here at this link.
Find more Native Plant Profiles here
References:
[2] – Vandevender, John 2013. Propagation protocol for production of field-grown Cercis canadensis L. plants (1-0); USDA NRCS – Appalachian Plant Materials Center, Alderson, West Virginia.
[3] – Tree Propagation fact sheets. University of Kentucky – accessed 1-9-22.
[4] – Jones, Rodney O., and Robert L. Geneve. “Seedcoat structure related to germination in eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.).” Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 120.1 (1995): 123-127.
[5] – Geneve, Robert L. “Seed dormancy in eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis).” Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 116.1 (1991): 85-88.
[6] – Germination of Redbud Seeds. Iowa State University Ag Extension Office. Retrieved 1-9-22.
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