PLANT OF THE WEEK

Cercis canadensis ‘Eternal Flame’

In keeping with the autumnal theme, this year’s winner of Plant of the Year at the Chelsea Flower Show was a new selection of the North American Redbud.

Eternal Flame’s unique selling point is the variety of different colours that the foliage will exhibit.

The juvenile leaves emerge red and will shift to yellow and orange. Often several colours will be visible on different leaves at the same time.

Redbuds are slow to flower in this country but when they do the little pink flowers on bare stems are delightful.

It can be grown as a multistemmed shrub or small tree. Great for a small garden and suitable for most soils in full sun.