Eastern Redbud vs Lily of the Valley

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Fabaceae · trees

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Asparagaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Eastern Redbud (Zones 4-9)

Lily of the Valley (Zones 3-8)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 4–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Eastern Redbud	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Cercis canadensis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Fabaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	30'	8"
Spread	30'	1'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Eastern Redbud

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Lily of the Valley

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Eastern Redbud

✓Transplant when young — older trees have deep taproots.
✓Prune after flowering.
✓Tolerates clay soil.
✓Flowers are edible and can be added to salads.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Eastern Redbud if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

Choose Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Eastern RedbudProfile →View Lily of the ValleyProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Eastern Redbud grows in USDA zones 4-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Eastern Redbud needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Lily of the Valley needs part shade to full shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Eastern Redbud or Lily of the Valley?

Eastern Redbud grows taller at 30' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Eastern Redbud spreads 30' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Eastern Redbud or Lily of the Valley?

Both Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Eastern Redbud	Lily of the Valley
Scientific Name	Cercis canadensis	Convallaria majalis
Family	Fabaceae	Asparagaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	30'	8"
Spread	30'	1'
Bloom Season	Early Spring	Spring
Bloom Color	Pink, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Europe, Asia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Eastern Redbud

✓Transplant when young — older trees have deep taproots.
✓Prune after flowering.
✓Tolerates clay soil.
✓Flowers are edible and can be added to salads.

Lily of the Valley

✓Plant pips (roots) in fall.
✓Spreads aggressively — contain with barriers or use in areas where spreading is desired.
✓All parts are poisonous.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Eastern Redbud if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

Choose Lily of the Valley if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 3–8.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 4–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley grow in the same hardiness zone?

Eastern Redbud grows in USDA zones 4-9, while Lily of the Valley grows in zones 3-8. Both plants can grow together in zones 4 through 8.

Do Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Eastern Redbud or Lily of the Valley?

Eastern Redbud grows taller at 30' compared to Lily of the Valley at 8". Eastern Redbud spreads 30' while Lily of the Valley spreads 1'.

Are Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley deer resistant?

Yes, both Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Eastern Redbud or Lily of the Valley?

Both Eastern Redbud and Lily of the Valley have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.