Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-10 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 9

Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud brings a concentrated burst of spring color to compact landscapes, covering bare branches with rosy-pink blossoms before the leaves unfold. As flowers fade, heart-shaped foliage emerges with a warm red flush and settles into a rich emerald green, giving you fresh contrast and a tidy, rounded silhouette all season.

Sized for courtyards, entries, and foundation beds, this small ornamental delivers high impact without crowding walkways or windows. Plant one as a focal point near a patio, or pair two to frame a path—the balanced form and multi-stage display make it easy to design around.

Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud Care

Site in full sun to partial shade; aim for 6 or more hours of light for the strongest bloom and best foliage color. Provide well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and add compost at planting. Water deeply the first growing season to establish, then switch to occasional soakings during dry spells rather than frequent light watering.

Mulch 2–3 inches deep to conserve moisture, keeping mulch a few inches off the trunk. Prune right after the spring flowering flush to shape lightly and remove any crossing or damaged branches; avoid heavy summer or fall pruning. If grafted, remove any shoots that sprout from below the graft union. Generally hardy in USDA Zones 5–9; protect young trees from persistent winter winds.

Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud Spacing

Expect about 8–10 ft tall and 7–9 ft wide at maturity. As a specimen, allow 8–10 ft of open space so the rounded canopy can develop evenly. For paired plantings, set trees 9–11 ft on center. Keep 4–6 ft from walls or fences for airflow and maintenance access.

In large containers, choose a sturdy 20–24"+ diameter pot with excellent drainage and position planters 3–4 ft apart so sunlight reaches all sides.

Why Grow Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud?

• Rosy-pink spring bloom followed by red-flushed leaves maturing to emerald green

• Compact, rounded habit suited to small yards, courtyards, and patios

• Pollinator friendly and easy to maintain with a simple, post-bloom prune

• Adaptable to a range of soils when drainage is good

• Four-season interest, with graceful branching that adds structure in winter

A jewel-box redbud with big decorative payoff—plant Garden Gems® Emerald Redbud where you’ll pass by daily and enjoy color, form, and texture from early spring onward.