Great Plant Pick: Redbud hazel

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 5, 2021

Disanthus cercidifolius (redbud hazel). (Richie Steffen)
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Disanthus cercidifolius (redbud hazel). (Richie Steffen)
Disanthus cercidifolius (redbud hazel) boasts burgundy flowers in fall. (Richie Steffen)

What: Disanthus cercidifolius, redbud hazel, is one of the best shrubs for fall color. Its small, unusual flowers resemble little burgundy starfish as the foliage drops in fall. The flowers’ fragrance is rather medicinal, however.

Where: Redbud hazel prefers light to dappled shade and well-draining soil. It will tolerate sandy and clay soils if drainage is adequate.

Size: Grows to 10 feet high by 10 feet wide in 10 years. Mature dimensions are 20 feet by 20 feet.

Care: Water regularly in summer. Little pruning is required other than removing dead, broken or poorly formed branches.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks