'Kay's Early Hope' Cercis chinensis

A dazzling herald of early spring, Cercis chinensis ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ is a breathtaking Chinese redbud that welcomes the season with a profusion of vivid pink blossoms. As one of the earliest flowering redbuds, it covers its bare branches in dense clusters of bright magenta-pink flowers, creating a striking display before the first leaves emerge. Reaching 10 to 15 feet tall with a broad, spreading habit, this small ornamental tree or large shrub is a perfect choice for adding dramatic color and graceful structure to the landscape.

A favorite of pollinators, ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ attracts bees and butterflies with its abundant nectar, bringing life and movement to the garden. As spring turns to summer, its lush, heart-shaped green leaves create a dense canopy, providing cooling shade and a soft, elegant texture. In autumn, the foliage takes on warm golden tones, extending its seasonal beauty. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for small gardens, foundation plantings, or as a showstopping specimen near patios and walkways.

Bred for improved vigor and resilience, ‘Kay’s Early Hope’ thrives in a variety of soils and is more tolerant of heat and humidity than many other redbuds. With its long-lasting flowers, graceful form, and year-round appeal, this exceptional Cercis chinensis variety is a standout addition to any garden.

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.

'Kay's Early Hope' Cercis chinensis

Soil quality and how to plant the Ace of Hearts

The Flame Thrower, like most redbud trees prefers consistently moist soil that is rich in organic matter, but can do well in a wide range of soils. Soil compaction will restrict growth and should be addressed by digging as large a hole as possible. We recommend a minimum of 3x3 ft. and digging at least 18 inches deep to break up the soil. Remove the grass, but retain as much of the original soil from the grass clumps as possible. A higher quality soil can be supplemented, but use no more than a 30% new to 70% original soil ratio. Too much new soil can cause water to pool in the hole, which will drown and kill the plant. With redbuds, mulching is extremely important (especially in the early years) as it suppresses grass and weeds, retains moisture, improves soil quality and reduces the chances of compaction from foot or mower traffic. For more specific details on how to plant see our guide.

When to fertilize the Ace of Hearts

The Flame Thrower depends on new growth for it to maintain it's spectacular appearance, so fertilizer is recommended for optimal growth. A soil test is recommend for accurate fertilization, but a general NPK + micronutrients slow release fertilizer will cover the basis if a test is not performed. We recommend a 10-11 month slow release fertilizer be applied each year as a top dress in the mulch around the growing area. Apply this fertilizer prior to spring, so that the tree has access to nutrients in the spring and fall growing periods.

How and when to prune the Ace of Hearts

Pruning can be a challenge for new gardeners, so unless you are experienced, we recommend limiting pruning to a few branches each season. Pruning can be done during the winter months, but will rob you of the newest blooms. Pruning can also be done in late spring, after the blooms fade. Try to focus on branches that cross into the tree or create a steep V as these can create rubs, restrain growth on the central leader, and lead to breakage. Prune branches that are lower to the the ground to allow for space under the tree for mowing and and a more tree-like appearance. Most redbuds will grow shoots around the base of the tree, trim these back as low to the ground as possible each season. I've seen shoots grow almost to the size of a small tree within a few months, so get them as early as you can. When pruning take care to prune branches when they are as small as possible and take no more than 1/3 of the branches from a tree in one season.