Eastern Redbud vs Wood Lily - TreeTime.ca

Eastern Redbud vs Wood Lily

Cercis canadensis

Lilium philadelphicum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Eastern Redbud
Wood Lily

The Eastern Redbud is known for the pea-like pink buds that emerge in clusters on the bark, embellishing the tree in stunning flowers. They have a longer bloom time, sometimes for two to three weeks before the heart-shaped leaves emerge for the summer. Inedible pods emerge that turn brown in the summer, this tree is a part of the bean family.

Native to the Eastern North America. The Eastern Redbud can tolerate acidic and alkaline soil. Plant this as a beautiful understory species or shaded residential yard or garden. The bright pop of color will make an attractive ornamental tree.

Wood Lily is a native perennial wildflower known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of orange to red. Its showy flowers appear mid-summer and are highly visible in meadows and prairies. The upward-facing flowers are an important nectar source for many pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Unlike most lilies, the Wood Lily’s flowers face upward rather than nodding. It is slow to establish and may take years before flowering, but once mature, it requires little maintenance. It is well-suited for pollinator gardens, naturalisation projects, prairie restoration, and open woodland plantings.
Wood Lily is the provincial flower of Saskatchewan and North America’s most widespread lily. Despite its wide natural range, populations have been declining. Habitat loss, overgrazing by deer, and unsustainable picking have reduced both its abundance and density across many regions. These pressures highlight the importance of protecting and restoring this once-common wildflower.

Eastern Redbud Quick Facts

Wood Lily Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Growth form: upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: high


Toxicity: toxic to cats
Flowers: rose-purple, pea-like
Flowers: bright orange to red with dark spots
Bloom time: early to mid summer
Seeds: pod-like
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC
Other Names: judas tree
Other Names: prairie wood lily, red lily, red wood lily