Tree With Red Heart Shaped Leaves and My 9 Favorite Trees of Love

Nature and its spontaneous diversity is just so amazing!

You may like

Did you know that there exists a type of tree with red heart shaped leaves?

You're reading: Tree With Red Heart Shaped Leaves and My 9 Favorite Trees of Love

As surrealistic as it sounds (and look), the plant is very physically a product of our mother nature.

Its name is Cercis or “Eastern Redbud,” which boasts up to 10 species with different leaf and flower shades.

As we further delve into all the facts about the tree with red heart shaped leaves, I’ll also introduce you to my 10 other favorite plants with the valentine spirit in their leaves (I mean heart-shaped).

These remarkable trees will not only enhance your yard or garden but also provide lasting color and natural allure for years to come.

Table of Contents

Eastern Redbud – The Tree With Red Heart Shaped Leaves

Eastern Redbud can grow as high as 20 ft. tall with a width that spans up to 25 ft.

Having a hardiness zone stretching from zone 5 to 9, you can find this deciduous tree across eastern and central North America, as well as several parts of Europe and Asia. Yup, it’s not that rare!

But how come you don’t seem to have noticed it more often?

It’s because the tree’s leaves are normally just green (like trees should be).

The scarlet hue only manifests in the fall with different shades scattering between the leaves.

I thought it was so magnificent for Eastern Redbud because of its unique leaves, but no. Wait until spring and you’ll exclaim a big wow when you see its flowers.

They are like tiny peas in shades of pink and purple that some say resemble lavender that grows on trees.

Here’s what gets things more interesting: the flowers are edible! Some say it tastes slightly sour, others say it tastes sweet.

But there is one thing that makes consuming them inviting: they are rich in vitamin C, or so stated by wildflower.org.

Trees with Heart-Shaped Leaves

Surprisingly our nature is filled with more love than we usually notice.

As Eastern Redbud is not the only species of tree with heart-shaped leaves, Tilia genus is another fellow that bears the mark of love in its leaves as well.

Of course, they are still not the only plants there are on earth with this special characteristic.

But by far, they are the most abundant and easily found. I’ve combined a list of my top favorite trees below.

Let’s see how many of them you may have encountered in your life.

1. Flame Thrower Redbud Tree

The Flame Thrower Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis ‘Flame Thrower’) is a deciduous tree renowned for its vibrant foliage.

In spring, the new leaves emerge in shades of red, orange, and yellow, resembling flames. As the season progresses, the leaves transition to green.

Mature Size: Reaching a height of 20-25 feet with a similar spread.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full to partial sunlight. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: Its vivid and colorful foliage makes it a standout ornamental tree.

2. Hearts of Gold Redbud Tree

The Hearts of Gold Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’) is a deciduous tree admired for its heart-shaped leaves with a golden hue.

In spring, it produces small, pinkish-purple flowers that beautifully contrast with the golden foliage.

Mature Size: Grows to a height of 12-15 feet, with a similar spread.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soils and prefers full sun to light shade. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The golden leaves provide a stunning visual appeal.

3. Rising Sun Redbud Tree

The Rising Sun Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis ‘Rising Sun’) is a deciduous tree treasured for its vibrant apricot-colored foliage in spring. The heart-shaped leaves emerge in apricot and gradually transition to yellow-green.

Mature Size: Reaches a height of 12-15 feet, with a similar spread.
Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to light shade. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The apricot-colored leaves add a burst of color in early spring.

4. Quaking Aspen Tree

The Quaking Aspen tree (Populus tremuloides) is a deciduous tree known for its unique leaves that flutter in the slightest breeze.

The glossy green heart-shaped leaves have serrated edges.

Mature Size: Can grow to a height of 40-50 feet, with a spread of 20-30 feet.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in moist, well-drained soils and prefers full sun. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The trembling leaves create a distinctive visual effect.

5. Southern Catalpa

The Southern Catalpa tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is a deciduous tree cherished for its large heart-shaped leaves. The bright green leaves create a lush canopy.

Mature Size: Reaches a height of 40-60 feet, with a spread of 20-40 feet.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in moist, well-drained soils and prefers full sun. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: In addition to its distinctive leaves, it produces showy white trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring.

6. Empress tree

The Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) is a deciduous tree known for its large heart-shaped leaves with a soft, velvety texture. The green leaves provide a tropical look.

Mature Size: Can grow to a height of 30-50 feet, with a spread of 20-40 feet.
Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soils and full sun. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The velvety texture of the leaves and rapid growth rate make it distinctive.

7. American Lime

The American Lime tree (Tilia americana) is a deciduous tree with bright green heart-shaped leaves that have finely toothed edges. It offers a dense foliage and a rounded canopy.

Mature Size: Reaches a height of 60-80 feet, with a spread of 40-50 feet.
Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The dense foliage and fragrant, small yellow flowers in late spring make it valuable in landscapes.

8. Silver Lime

The Silver Lime tree (Tilia tomentosa) is a deciduous tree known for its heart-shaped leaves with silvery-gray undersides, creating an attractive contrast. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy green.

Mature Size: Can grow to a height of 40-60 feet, with a spread of 30-50 feet.
Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The silver-gray undersides of the leaves add a distinctive visual element.

9. Serviceberry

While this tree does not exactly have heart-shaped leaves, I’d like to add it into my collection for how vibrantly crimson the leaves can be during fall.

The Serviceberry tree is a leaf-shedding plant that can grow as a tree or a shrub. It welcomes the spring with soft white or pink flowers that adorn its branches.

Mature Size: Can reach a height of 15-25 feet, with a spread of 10-15 feet.
Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to light shade. Adaptable to various soil types.
Unique Characteristics: The Serviceberry’s ability to produce edible berries in late spring adds to its appeal, making it both ornamental and functional.

Final Thoughts

Nothing can compare to the splendor of trees with heart-shaped leaves.

They are the perfect choice for adding color and charm to your landscape, or perhaps to a fall sightseeing day.

Whether you prefer the dazzling reds of Flame Thrower Redbud Trees, the radiant yellows of Hearts of Gold, or the stunning oranges of Rising Sun Redbud Trees, their beauty is just undeniable when autumn reaches.

My suggestion is to collect the leaves in fall and dry them in your notebook. They’ll make wonderful stickers for your journals, or perhaps jewelry if you enclose them in resin.

Source: https://thelittle.garden
Category: Lanscaping