The Cercis can Eternal Flame Tree, also known as the Evergreen Flame Redbud, is an award-winning ornamental cultivar admired for its continuous display of shifting foliage colours. Developed through North Carolina State University’s breeding programme and introduced to the UK by Hillier and Suttons, it has quickly become a popular choice for gardeners seeking a tree that delivers impact across multiple seasons. It was even named RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year in 2021.
In mid-spring, clusters of small, pea-like flowers appear directly on the bare branches. These blossoms are a deep pink shade and create a striking contrast before the leaves unfold, providing a burst of colour that heralds the arrival of warmer months. They also attract pollinators, adding ecological value to the garden.
Once flowering has finished, the tree’s heart-shaped leaves emerge. Unlike many trees that simply progress from green to yellow in autumn, Eternal Flame undergoes a fascinating sequence of colour shifts that last throughout the growing season. The foliage opens as a glossy red, then transforms to a fiery burnt orange, and finally develops warm golden-yellow tones. Remarkably, these colours often appear simultaneously on the same branch, giving the tree a dynamic, flame-like effect that changes throughout the season. This is the feature that makes Eternal Flame so distinct and celebrated.
Compact in growth, the Cercis can Eternal Flame Tree reaches around 3 metres in height and 3 metres in spread after ten years. Its manageable size makes it suitable for gardens of all sizes, particularly where space is limited. It is equally effective as a specimen tree in a lawn, as part of a mixed border, or grown in a large container to brighten patios and terraces. Its rounded form and branching habit further enhance its ornamental qualities, creating a neat and balanced structure.
This cultivar is also noted for being hardy and easy to maintain. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soils and performs best in a sunny position, where its foliage colours are strongest. Light pruning can be carried out after flowering if shaping is needed, though in most cases minimal intervention is required. Its disease resistance and resilience to varied growing conditions make it a dependable choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners.
The Cercis can Eternal Flame Tree combines vibrant spring flowers, a long-lasting sequence of colourful foliage, and compact growth in one award-winning package. Its ability to deliver such extended seasonal interest ensures it stands out as one of the most exciting ornamental trees currently available.
The Cercis can Eternal Flame Tree is a compact ornamental redbud with a mature size of around 3 metres in height and 3 metres in spread after ten years. Its neat, rounded form and branching habit create a balanced silhouette, making it ideal for gardens where space is at a premium.
In spring, clusters of pink pea-like flowers appear on bare wood before the leaves develop, providing an early burst of colour. As the foliage emerges, it transitions dramatically through glossy red, burnt orange, and golden yellow tones, often displaying multiple colours on a single branch.
This tree’s compact proportions make it perfect for smaller gardens, patios, or even container planting, while still delivering the impact of a larger ornamental specimen. Hardy, low-maintenance, and award-winning, it offers a reliable and striking choice for gardeners seeking colour throughout the growing season.
