{"product_id":"cercis-canadensis-merlot","title":"Cercis canadensis 'Merlot'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCercis canadensis 'Merlot'\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eMerlot redbud\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking small trees you can grow for rich, moody foliage. Bred from a cross of the popular 'Forest Pansy' and the heat-tolerant 'Texas White', it carries glossy, heart-shaped leaves in a deep wine-purple that holds its colour well through summer. In spring, clusters of pink-purple pea flowers stud the bare branches before the leaves unfurl, making it a real focal point in an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a compact, garden-hardy choice for UK plots. Rated around RHS H6, it is fully hardy across most of the country once established, dropping its leaves in winter and bursting back into colour each spring. Because it stays smaller than the species, reaching roughly 3 to 4 m over many years, it suits smaller gardens and courtyard schemes where a full-size tree would overwhelm. For more on how deciduous exotics behave through the year, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect through the seasons\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun gives the deepest leaf colour and the best flowering, though it tolerates light or partial shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any moist but well-drained soil, from chalk to clay and loam, across the full pH range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a compact small tree or large shrub, slowly reaching around 3 to 4 m tall and wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy in most of the UK, with young plants worth sheltering from hard late frosts and cold, drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to settle the roots, after which 'Merlot' becomes pleasingly low-maintenance. It needs only minimal pruning and resents being cut back hard, so simply remove any dead or crossing branches while dormant. The early flowers are a valuable nectar source, making it a lovely pick for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003epollinator-friendly planting\u003c\/a\u003e, and its neat habit works just as well as a specimen in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea large container\u003c\/a\u003e as it does among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you are after a compact redbud for a courtyard or a bold, dark-leaved focal point for an exotic scheme, this is a superb choice from our wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range. Every plant is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy shape and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"23cm \/ 5L","offer_id":58064010117503,"sku":"CERCCANAMERL23","price":54.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/cercis-2.jpg?v=1785411922","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/cercis-canadensis-merlot","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}