Tennessee pink has the characteristics of the traditional native eastern redbud, with two improvements. First, the blooms on Tennessee Pink are a bright vivid pink that pop in the spring. This pink is rich and vibrant and pops in the landscape in a way that the traditional lavender redbud blooms simply can't. It's small clustering flowers emerge and decorate the branches of the tree in early spring, with leaves emerge slight after the fact a lovely copper orange that quickly transitions to emerald green. The main improvement on this tree is the habit. Unlike some redbud trees Tennessee pink has a more well-rounded, symmetrical tree form, which makes it a beautiful specimen tree to highlight a garden or to place beside a patio as it keeps a very full and compact form. According to the U.S. National Arboretum's International Cultivar Registration Authority for Cercis, 'Tennessee Pink' is "A selection of eastern redbud with pink flowers; found and introduced by Harald Neubauer of Hidden Hollow Nursery (Belvidere, TN)." The Missouri Botanical Garden notes that Tennessee Pink "is noted for producing clear pink flowers (purple coloration found in most of the redbuds is absent). It typically matures as a single trunk tree to 20' tall and as wide."As a native cultivar, Tennessee Pink provides the same ecological benefits as the straight species. According to research by Dr. Doug Tallamy, eastern redbud serves as a larval host plant for approximately 19-24 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), including Henry's elfin butterfly and three specialist moth species—the redbud leaffolder, promiscuous angle, and Cenopis chambersana—whose caterpillars feed exclusively on redbud foliage [2]. The early spring flowers provide critical nectar for emerging pollinators when few other food sources are available, including the southeastern blueberry bee (Habropoda laboriosa), a specialist pollinator that forages on redbud before blueberries bloom. Additional pollinators include carpenter bees, bumble bees, mason bees, and various native mining and sweat bees. Hummingbirds also visit the flowers for early-season nectar [3]. The seeds attract finches, juncos, nuthatches, cardinals, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and wild turkeys, while caterpillars feeding on the foliage become essential protein for songbirds raising their young. By selecting Tennessee Pink, you're not just adding a beautiful ornamental tree—you're establishing a native plant that supports complex food webs throughout the growing season.[1] U.S. National Arboretum, International Cultivar Registration Authority for Cercis.[2] Tallamy, D.W. 2009. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Updated and Expanded Edition. Timber Press, Portland, OR.[3] Xerces Society, "From the Field: Trees for Bees".
