Small tree (often maxing out around 25 ft tall in our climate) with pink-lavender colored flowers in early spring.   One of the earlier native trees to bloom each season.   This gives way to heart shaped glossy green leaves.  The plant will turn to shades of yellow in autumn.  The tree grows along the Mid-Atlantic region and prefers rich well drained soil and does best in part sun / part shade.   The tree is susceptible to leaf scorch during summer months if placed in full sun.   This species is grown often as a multi stem form, but is a beauty as a single stem specimen as well.   There are white flowering cultivars as well – see Cercis canadensis ‘Alba’ for white flowering variety of this species.