Description

Cercis canadensis 'Merlot'™ is a Canadensis and texensis cross to produce a more drought and heat-tolerant tree. It has glossy, small rounded dark purple leaves and has an upright vase-shaped growth habit. It has a tighter, denser habit than Cercis "Forest Pansy" and is more heat tolerant and drought tolerant (texensis factor.) Leaves of 'Merlot'™ are smaller, thicker, and glossier than those of 'Forest Pansy'™. Mature plants flower heavily with strong bright pink, self-cleaning flowers and have a low seed set. 'Merlot'™ does not show leaf stress in the heat of summer.