{"product_id":"cercis-canadensis-merlot","title":"Cercis canadensis 'Merlot'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMerlot Redbud \/ Eastern Redbud ‘Merlot’\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"343\" data-start=\"324\"\u003eCercis canadensis\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Merlot’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fabaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eNorth America (cultivar selection)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous small tree \/ large shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"939\" data-start=\"500\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"519\" data-start=\"500\"\u003eCercis canadensis\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Merlot’ is a striking ornamental redbud prized for its rich, wine-coloured foliage and brilliant early-spring floral display. Well suited to Adelaide’s temperate and Mediterranean climate, ‘Merlot’ offers year-round garden interest—beginning with masses of vivid magenta-pink pea-like flowers on bare branches in late winter–early spring, followed by deep burgundy foliage that holds its colour through summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1278\" data-start=\"941\"\u003eMore heat tolerant and sun resilient than many purple-leafed trees, ‘Merlot’ performs reliably in South Australia when given well-drained soil and some protection from extreme heat during establishment. Its compact size and rounded canopy make it ideal as a feature tree for courtyards, front gardens, streetscapes and mixed borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–4 m H × 3–4 m W (rounded, spreading canopy)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large, heart-shaped leaves; rich burgundy to deep wine-purple; colour holds well through summer; turns golden-yellow to orange in autumn before leaf drop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright magenta-pink pea-shaped flowers borne directly on bare branches and trunk in late winter–early spring\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spectacular late winter–spring flowering; bold purple foliage spring–summer; autumn colour before leaf drop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early nectar source for bees and beneficial insects; light shelter for small birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate drought tolerance once established; heat tolerant for a redbud; light frost hardy; wind tolerant in sheltered positions; not suited to exposed coastal salt spray\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feature tree: 1 per 9–16 m²; Spacing from buildings\/other trees: allow 3–4 m clearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light part shade (best foliage colour in full sun; part shade helpful in very hot inland sites)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained loam or sandy loam; tolerates clay if drainage is improved; avoid prolonged waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks; Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); little water needed in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low — minimal pruning required; prune lightly after flowering only if shaping is needed; mulch annually to protect roots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40+ years in suitable conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well suited to temperate and Mediterranean South Australia — Adelaide Plains, foothills, and cooler Hills locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acidic to neutral preferred; tolerates mildly alkaline soils with good drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeature tree for front yards, courtyards and statement plantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccent tree in modern, contemporary or cottage-style gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with silver foliage (Leucophyta, Artemisia) or lime greens for colour contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderplant with spring bulbs or low groundcovers for layered seasonal interest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal small tree for urban gardens where space is limited\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Merlot’ delivers three seasons of standout colour—electric pink flowers when little else is blooming, followed by luxurious burgundy foliage that elevates any garden design. Compact, refined and surprisingly heat-tolerant, it’s a premium feature tree perfectly sized for Adelaide gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"300mm Pot","offer_id":48686498349308,"sku":"CERC-CANA-MERL-300MM","price":109.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/cercis-canadensis-merlot-redbud-300mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.png?v=1769052524","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/cercis-canadensis-merlot","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}