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Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

$17995 $29995
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Risk-Free 1 Year Warranty

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

Planting Instructions for Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

  1. Site Selection: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. This variety thrives best with 6-8 hours of sunlight daily but can tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates. Ensure good air circulation to promote healthy growth.
  2. Soil Preparation: Flame Thrower® Redbuds prefer well-drained, loamy soil. If your soil is clay-heavy, improve drainage by mixing in compost or other organic material. Aim for slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Good drainage is key, as redbuds are sensitive to soggy conditions.
  3. Planting Depth: Dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball but slightly shallower than its height. The root flare (where the trunk begins to widen) should be just above the soil surface. Mound soil in the center of the hole, setting the tree slightly above the surrounding soil level. This technique helps prevent water from pooling around the base of the tree, reducing the risk of root rot.
  4. Mulching and Watering: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Mulch helps retain moisture and moderates soil temperature. After planting, water the tree thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Care Instructions for Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

  1. Watering: Water the Flame Thrower® Redbud deeply once or twice a week during its first growing season, depending on rainfall and weather conditions. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry periods. Once established, it will be more drought-tolerant, but still requires occasional deep watering during prolonged drought.
  2. Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring during the first few years to support healthy growth and blooming. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can promote too much foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
  3. Monitoring: Check the tree for signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves or wilting, which could indicate water or transplanting issues. Adjust your watering schedule if necessary and ensure the tree is not sitting in waterlogged soil.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care for Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

  1. Pruning: Minimal pruning is required, but you can shape the tree in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to promote healthy structure and airflow. This will help reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
  2. Pest and Disease Control: Flame Thrower® Redbuds are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but can sometimes face issues like canker, leaf spot, or scale insects. Promote good air circulation by avoiding overcrowding, and monitor the tree regularly for signs of infection. If needed, apply organic fungicides or horticultural oils to control outbreaks.
  3. Seasonal Tasks: Add fresh mulch around the base of the tree each spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. In colder regions (USDA zones 5-9), this tree is hardy, but providing some winter protection, like burlap wraps for young trees, may be helpful in harsh winters.
What Customers say about the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree:

The Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree thrives in Zones 5-9

Growing Zones for the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 5-9
Mature Height 15-20 ft.
Mature Width 15-20 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Cercis 'Flame Thrower'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Close-up of heart-shaped leaves in shades of red, orange, and yellow on a Redbud branch.

Beware- not all Flame Thrower® Redbud Trees are the same.

Be sure to get superior flowering trees, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" flowering trees to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Flame Thrower® Redbud Trees in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall flowering trees in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

Close-up of bright pink-purple Redbud flowers blooming on a bare branch.

The Flame Thrower® Redbud is famous for its foliage- new leaves keep coming in, so the tree shows several bright colors at once.

  • Color-changing leaves emerge burgundy-red, then shift to orange, golden yellow and green
  • Rosy-pink spring flowers cover the bare branches before the leaves appear
  • Compact, rounded tree reaching 15-20 ft. tall and wide- great for small yards and patios
  • Hardy in zones 5-9 and moderately drought tolerant once established

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Flame Thrower® Redbud tree with mixed green, red, and purple foliage in a garden setting.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "4-5 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!
Single Redbud tree with dense, deep red and green foliage in a mulched landscape area.

You Want Flame Thrower® Redbud Trees Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak redbuds grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take longer to fill out and bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Flame Thrower® Redbud Trees, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means your tree settles in quickly and starts putting on its colorful show sooner.

Read more about the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree (Cercis canadensis 'NC2016-2')

Vibrant, Multi-Colored Foliage for Year-Round Drama in Your Landscape

The Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree is a spectacular, one-of-a-kind ornamental tree known for its stunning foliage that transforms in color throughout the growing season. From spring to fall, the leaves of this eye-catching redbud change from bright burgundy-red to golden yellow, deepening to green as they mature. This kaleidoscope of colors makes the Flame Thrower® Redbud a show-stopping focal point in any garden or landscape. Compact and easy to care for, this unique tree offers year-round beauty, with vibrant spring blooms, bold summer foliage, and structural winter interest.

Key Features:

  • Dazzling Foliage: Produces heart-shaped leaves that emerge in vibrant shades of burgundy, transforming into orange, yellow, and green as the season progresses, creating a multi-colored display all year long.
  • Spring Blooms: In early spring, the tree is adorned with small clusters of rosy-pink flowers that cover the bare branches before the leaves emerge.
  • Compact Size: Grows to a mature height of 12-15 feet with a spread of 12-15 feet, making it perfect for small gardens, patios, or as a specimen tree in any yard.
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
  • Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for, with minimal pruning required.

Perfect for Gardens, Patios, and Show-Stopping Accents

The Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree is the ideal choice for gardeners who want to add dynamic color and visual interest to their outdoor spaces. Its colorful, ever-changing foliage provides a stunning focal point in any garden or landscape, creating a lively display that lasts from early spring through late fall. The tree's compact size makes it perfect for smaller yards, patios, or foundation plantings, while its vibrant colors also make it a striking choice for adding contrast to larger landscapes.

In early spring, the tree bursts into bloom with clusters of rosy-pink flowers that appear along its bare branches, attracting pollinators and adding a burst of color to your garden. The real show begins when the leaves emerge, showcasing a mix of burgundy, orange, yellow, and green as they mature, offering an ever-changing palette of color.

Easy to Grow and Care For

The Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree is prized for its hardiness and ease of care, making it a perfect choice for gardeners of all skill levels. This adaptable tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, though it can tolerate a variety of soil types. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance beyond occasional watering and light pruning to shape the tree.

Growing Tips:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade (at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily) for the best color and growth.
  • Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish deep roots. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant.
  • Soil: Prefers well-draining soil but is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils.
  • Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage.
  • Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. Lightly prune after flowering to shape the tree and remove any dead or damaged branches.

Why Choose Nationwide Plants?

At Nationwide Plants, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality trees that are ready to thrive in your landscape. Our Flame Thrower® Redbud Trees are carefully grown and nurtured to ensure healthy roots and vibrant foliage, ensuring they will establish quickly in your garden. With fast shipping and expert care advice, we make it easy for you to enjoy this stunning, colorful tree in your yard.

Transform Your Landscape with the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

The Flame Thrower Redbud Tree is a showstopper for any landscape, boasting vibrant multi-color foliage that transitions beautifully from deep red to brilliant gold throughout the seasons. This compact and low-maintenance tree is perfect for adding visual interest to smaller spaces while requiring minimal care. Beyond its stunning beauty, the Flame Thrower Redbud Tree attracts pollinators, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support local ecosystems. Transform your outdoor space with this unique and eye-catching tree.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Flame Thrower® Redbud Tree

How big does a Flame Thrower Redbud tree get?

A Flame Thrower Redbud typically grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a similar 15 to 20 foot spread. Its compact, rounded form makes it a great specimen tree for small gardens, patios, foundation plantings, and front yards. Leave room for the full canopy when choosing a planting spot.

What zones does Flame Thrower Redbud grow in?

Flame Thrower Redbud is hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, so it suits a wide range of climates. In colder parts of that range, wrapping young trees with burlap during harsh winters can help protect them. In hot areas, a little afternoon shade helps keep the colorful foliage looking its best.

What colors are Flame Thrower Redbud leaves?

Flame Thrower Redbud leaves emerge in vibrant burgundy-red, then shift through shades of orange and golden yellow before deepening to green as they mature. New leaves keep appearing through the season, so the tree shows several colors at once. The heart-shaped foliage makes it a standout focal point.

When does Flame Thrower Redbud bloom?

Flame Thrower Redbud blooms in early spring, when small clusters of rosy-pink flowers cover the bare branches before the leaves emerge. The flowers attract pollinators and kick off the season with color. Once they fade, the colorful new foliage takes over the show.

How much sun does a Flame Thrower Redbud need?

Flame Thrower Redbud grows best in full to partial sun, ideally with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily for the brightest leaf color. It can tolerate some afternoon shade, which is helpful in hot climates. Good air circulation around the tree also helps keep it healthy.

What soil does Flame Thrower Redbud need?

Flame Thrower Redbud prefers well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, but it adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils. Redbuds are sensitive to soggy ground, so mix compost into heavy clay. Plant slightly high, with the root flare just above the soil surface, to prevent root rot.

How often should I water a Flame Thrower Redbud?

Water a Flame Thrower Redbud deeply once or twice a week during its first growing season, depending on rainfall and heat. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant, but still give it an occasional deep soak during prolonged dry spells.

When should you prune a Flame Thrower Redbud?

Prune a Flame Thrower Redbud in late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. It needs only minimal pruning: remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve structure and airflow. Better airflow also helps reduce the risk of fungal problems such as leaf spot and canker.

What pests and diseases affect Flame Thrower Redbud?

Flame Thrower Redbud is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but it can occasionally develop canker, leaf spot, or scale insects. Avoid overcrowding to keep air moving, and check the tree regularly. If needed, treat problems with organic fungicides or horticultural oil, and never let the soil stay soggy.

Can Flame Thrower Redbud be shipped to every state?

No, Flame Thrower Redbud cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon because of state agricultural restrictions. It can be shipped to all other states. The tree is offered in a 4-5 ft. size, which gives you a well-developed young tree ready to plant as a colorful specimen in your landscape.
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