Midnight Express Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Midnight Express')
SIR-sis kan-ah-DEN-sis 'Midnight Express'

Deciduous Perennial Tree
It has the gorgeous pink pea-shaped blooms redbuds are known for, but the foliage is simply phenomenal. It is a rich burgundy color with handsome green undertones and it stays handsome for the entire growing season.

Pros

  • Spectacular early-spring flower show on bare branches, before most other trees have even leafed out
  • Small, well-behaved size (20-30ft) that fits easily into smaller yards and under power lines
  • Heart-shaped leaves and interesting seed pods add multi-season interest
  • Supports native bees and other early-season pollinators when few other flowers are available

Cons

  • Has a taproot and does not transplant well once established — site it carefully while young
  • Relatively short-lived for a tree, typically 20-25 years
  • Susceptible to canker and Verticillium wilt, which can kill branches or the whole tree
  • Branches are somewhat brittle and can break in ice or wind storms
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 20 - 30 feet tall. 10 - 20 feet wide.
Moisture Tolerance Medium -
Zones 5a - 8b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Colorful Foliage, Deciduous, Fall Color, Fall interest, Flowering Tree, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Native to North America, Normal Soil, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Acidic Soil, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Tree, Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Period Spring
Flower Color Pink
 

In The News

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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!