Black Pearl Redbud - Cercis x 'JN16'
Cercis canadensis 'JN16' PP28627
Mature Height: 20 to 25 ft.
Mature Spread: 20 to 25 ft.
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| Bloom Color: | Pink, magenta, purple |
| Bloom Period: | Early spring |
| Fall Color: | Yellow, orange, copper and gold |
| Foliage Color: | Glossy leaves emerge purple and maintain good color through summer |
| Genus & Species: | Cercis canadensis 'JN16' PP28627 |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Mature Height: | 20 to 25 ft. |
| Mature Spread: | 20 to 25 ft. |
| Soil Type: | Adaptable, but prefers moist, but well draining soil that is rich in organic matter |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun; Partial sun; Partial shade; Dappled light |
| Zone: | 6 to 9 |
If you've spent any time comparing purple-leafed redbuds, you know there's purple, and then there's purple. Black Pearl takes the latter category and runs with it into near-black territory. When those glossy, heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring—each measuring around 5.75 inches long and 5.5 inches wide—they don't mess around with tentative burgundy tones. These leaves commit to a deep maroon so intense that in certain light conditions they appear genuinely black, a feat that sets Black Pearl apart from its purple-leafed relatives like Forest Pansy or even its parent Ruby Falls. The drama doesn't stop there: before the foliage arrives, clusters of lavender-pink pea-like flowers blanket the bare branches in March and April, creating that signature cauliflorous flowering display (stem-flowering, for those keeping track of botanical vocabulary) that makes spring redbuds impossible to ignore. The glossy sheen on mature foliage adds another layer of visual interest through summer, while fall brings a shift to surprising chartreuse yellow tones—a striking departure from the dark palette of the growing season.
Black Pearl maintains the classic redbud architecture: a broad, rounded, oval form that tops out around 20 feet tall with a 25-foot spread, making it a perfect choice for smaller residential landscapes where a full-sized shade tree would overwhelm. The compact, upright habit with relatively short internodes creates a dense, freely branching structure that works beautifully as a specimen tree, in group plantings, or even as a dramatic focal point near patios and entertainment areas. Unlike some purple cultivars that fade to muddy green by midsummer heat, Black Pearl holds its dark color remarkably well through the growing season, provided it receives adequate sunlight—full sun delivers the deepest, most saturated color, though the tree tolerates part shade with a slight softening of intensity. The near-black foliage creates knockout contrast when paired with plants sporting lighter tones: think golden grasses, chartreuse hostas, or the bright variegation of companion trees like Rising Sun redbud (one of Black Pearl's parents, interestingly). For those designing "gothic" or moody garden aesthetics, Black Pearl offers unmatched drama.
Redbud flowers provide critical early-spring nectar and pollen when few other sources exist. The flowers also attract early butterflies and hummingbirds desperate for that first spring meal. The seed pods provide food for many birds as well. Black Pearl excels as an ornamental selection that maintains pollinator support through its flowers while delivering extraordinary visual impact.
General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.
One of the taller branches broke off in the box during shipping but it’s already starting to grow just a couple weeks after I planted it! I’ve been looking for this tree for a year now and I’m glad I found a reputable company! I would definitely order from them again.
I love it. I was happily surprised by the size of this tree.
Leafing out beautifully.
Tree arrived on time as promised. It was well packaged. A little disappointed that the tree that arrived was only a single thin stick with no branches. Looks like a Charlie Brown tree. We planted immediately upon receipt and only now observing leaf buds.it is actually too premature to write a fair product review, have to give it a few more weeks to see leaf/branch development progress. Our local nurseryman commented that if we are successful in getting this redbud to grow that we will have a beautiful tree. He said he would like to carry the Appalachian redbud but he cannot get them.
I was waiting to respond when I had more to share. The 4’ (stick) :-) was received and instructions followed for planting. I witnessed only a few buds and now, after more than a month in the ground, buds at every intersection of bend, are popping out, showing me it is alive and kicking. Awesomely cool tree, glad I saw it last year (2024) at Blandy experimental Farm here in Virginia. I also appreciate you adding my name to the contact list and actually following up!
I received the “ stick“ of Heart’s Afire redbud the spring of 2024. To illustrate the beauty of this tree I have attached a couple of photos from this fall of this wonderful tree.
4 weeks
. Can wait til its full.highly recommended
Highly rec. I got the flamethrower and rising sun. both shippped dormant. 4-5ft Arrived safely and quickly. Althougn pricey both are healthy Flamethrower picture at 4 weeks since recieved. Lots of time trees I get online come half dead not really dormant and I end up having to save the tree. Very happy with purchase wish I had brought other trees b4 they went out of stock. Will be back for more.
Arrived in good condition, 3 weeks since planted, tree has appropriate new growth and leaf development.. thank you New Blooms from Jeff and Ruth
Redbud tree
So excited about this little tree and watching it grow. Moving into a new home so for now it’s in a pot till we pick the perfect spot. The red leaves are beautiful and I look forward to watching it grow. Great customer service and packaging!!
I had this tree in the past but somebody backed over it. It made blooms and beautiful leaves yet this one has made many more blossoms. I will keep an eye on it to see if it fills in well
I ordered 3 trees, two redbuds and all three plants arrived in great shape. Planting instructions were also very helpful.
New Blooms is the real deal. They send me a terrific Rising Sun Eastern Redbud Tree, and it was quick to plant and started growing right away. I've been scammed before by plant and seed sellers in the past, but my experience with New Blooms was great. Would highly recommend them to ship you your next tree or plant.
Tree arrived in great shape. Already budding
This is a favorite! I was having trouble finding this tree at the local nurseries. My last one was run over during a car accident.
The tree arrived so well packaged, it took a few extra days to arrive and not this company’s fault. As Travis assured my tree arrived healthy, it’s planted in a safer area of my yard. You’ll be pleased! Perfect for a smaller yard too.
Personal service....quality tree and packaging and planting instructions..Will be a repeat customer
Ordered and tree died first year.
Hi Beth, We're sorry to hear your tree didn't make it. That's never the outcome we want. We offer a warranty on all of our trees, and we're always happy to work with customers when something isn't going right — but we do need to hear from you during that coverage window, which this is well beyond, so we can help.
We don't have a record of you reaching out to us about this tree. If you'd like to get in touch, we're happy to talk through what may have happened and help you have a better experience next time.
— Travis
The tree came in great condition and had a nice vase shape. It is staring to leaf out. Can’t wait to see it grow!
Very healthy and cool tree.
Ideal experience ..arrived well packed and in great condition. But best of all was their communication. I knew exactly what to expect and when
Tree was in very good shape.
When the tree finally showed up it appeared to be healthy. It spent 2 weeks in the mail going who knows where, but that’s on the USPS. I got quick responses when trying to find what was going on. It’s a much nicer tree than I expected. Can’t wait to see it when it gets leaves.
Shipped appropriately and arrived in good shape
We planted them the day they arrived but no blooms or leaves yet
Travis was very helpful with choosing my specific tree type. The price point for the tree was reasonable, and while it came dormant (this is normal, and I knew about it before I purchased the tree) it has "woken up" with in a few days of being planted. It is growing quickly, so I believe that it is healthy. Shipping was delayed a few days, but that is no fault of New Blooms. I highly recommend them for your plant needs.
Arrived in great condition and already has some buds
Tree is getting leaf buds after a couple weeks. I recommend New Blooms.