Redbud, Royal White, Bare Root

Redbud ‘Royal White’ (Cercis canadensis ‘Royal White’)

A luminous, elegant twist on a native favorite, Royal White is a cultivar of the Eastern Redbud selected for its striking pure white spring flowers and graceful form. This deciduous small tree brings a refined presence to native plantings, pollinator gardens, and forest edge designs—while still offering the same valuable ecological functions as the species. Its early bloom time provides essential resources for native bees, and its compact size makes it ideal for understory use in food forests and permaculture landscapes.

Key Characteristics

• Early-season nectar source for native bees
  Blooming in early spring before most other trees leaf out, Royal White is an important nectar and pollen provider for queen bumblebees and other early-emerging native bees.
• Host plant for Henry’s Elfin butterfly
  Like other Cercis canadensis varieties, this cultivar serves as a larval host for the Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici) butterfly, offering both nectar and foliage support for this native species.
• Elegant white blooms for unique spring display
  Royal White sets itself apart with crisp white blossoms that cover its bare branches in early spring, offering a luminous, less-common color option that still retains the ecological benefits of the species.
• Edible blooms with culinary and traditional value
  The flowers are not only ornamental but edible—mildly sweet and tangy, they can be used fresh in spring salads or pickled. The inner bark and flowers were also used by Indigenous peoples for traditional medicine, particularly for fever and congestion.
• Compact form perfect for layered planting designs
  With a mature height of 15–25 feet, Royal White fits well into understory roles, shrub borders, or as a specimen tree in edible landscapes, forest gardens, and pollinator-focused plantings.

Product Details

• Native range: Cultivar of Cercis canadensis, native to eastern and central U.S.
• Plant life cycle: Deciduous Tree
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil requirements: Medium; prefers well-drained soils but is adaptable
• Mature height: 15–25 feet
• Bloom time: Early spring
• Bloom color: Pure white
• USDA Hardiness zones: 5–9

With its pure white blooms and pollinator value, Royal White is both beautiful and functional. Use it to light up your understory, support early-season bees, and add an elegant presence to regenerative gardens and edible landscapes.