Alley Cat Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis 'Alley Cat' Size:7 Gallon Photo: Jason Hollinger

Photo: Jason Hollinger

Wildlife Value: Provides nectar for early spring bees

Each Toadshade plant has a single stem that emerges with trio of pixelated mottled leaves topped by a stemless cup-shaped maroon flower in spring

Photos: Laura Cruz

Alley Cat Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis 'Alley Cat' Size:7 Gallon Photo: Jason HollingerThis cultivar is a true stunner. Like all Eastern Redbud trees, 'Alley Cat' sports pea like clusters of flowers (dark pink in this case) in early spring directly on its bare branches. But then comes the even more dramatic foliage. The heart shaped leaves emerge a copper pink and soft green that matures into a variegation of speckles and splashes of white. The leaves do not revert to green and do not scorch in the sun. 'Alley Cat' is a large selection