'Hearts of Gold' Redbud hardly needs a description as its big, beautiful golden heart-shaped leaves sell themselves. This exciting selection of eastern redbud has burst onto the scene just within the last three years and has become an overnight sensation in plant circles. The chartreuse leaves emerge in the spring with a copper tint and quickly change to a brilliant gold. The foliage of ‘Hearts of Gold’ remains brilliant gold as long as the plant is actively growing and in full sun. Once leaves become shaded out or the plant slows in growth, the foliage changes to green. It is also noteworthy that although this plant is predominately yellow in leaf it is not at all lacking in vigor!
'Hearts of Gold' offers a perfect way to brighten the grayest day and provides a riot of color in early spring because it flowers even before foliage emerges. The tiny lavender-purple redbud blooms are early harbingers of spring in the landscape. In summer, the gold foliage is burn-resistant even in full sun. A U.S. native, this gold redbud is as vigorous as green varieties and will grow to 10 feet in the first five years. Hearts of Gold should reach 20 to 25’ with a roughly equal spread. Its mature height makes it perfect for hedges or as a specimen planting. One's imagination can run wild with the landscape possibilities of this great new plant. A spectacular plant for illuminating a shady spot in the garden!