Genus
Cercis
33 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 4 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 29 still protected comes off patent on August 22, 2027.
Still under patent — 29 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- GreswanPP19654Cercis tree named ‘Greswan’UNDER PATENTAugust 22, 2027
- JN2PP21451Eastern redbud tree named ‘JN2’UNDER PATENTOctober 8, 2028
- JN3PP22298Eastern redbud tree named ‘JN3’UNDER PATENTOctober 20, 2029
- Ruby FallsPP22097Cercis plant named ‘Ruby Falls’UNDER PATENTDecember 21, 2029
- MerlotPP22297Cercis plant named ‘Merlot’UNDER PATENTDecember 21, 2029
- VANILLA TWISTPP22744Cercis plant named ‘VANILLA TWIST’UNDER PATENTDecember 24, 2030
- WHITEWATERPP23998Cercis tree named ‘WHITEWATER’UNDER PATENTMarch 20, 2032
- JN7PP25701Cercis tree named ‘JN7’UNDER PATENTNovember 24, 2033
- Pink Pom PomsPP27630Cercis plant named ‘Pink Pom Poms’UNDER PATENTApril 8, 2035
- NCCC1PP27712Cercis tree named ‘NCCC1’UNDER PATENTApril 18, 2035
- JN16PP28627Cercis plant named ‘JN16’UNDER PATENTApril 27, 2036
- SjoPP29290Cercis plant named ‘Sjo’UNDER PATENTJuly 7, 2036
- NC2016-2PP31260Cercis plant named ‘NC2016-2’UNDER PATENTDecember 18, 2038
- NC2015-12PP31658Cercis plant named ‘NC2015-12’UNDER PATENTDecember 19, 2038
- JN21PP32138Cercis plant named ‘JN21’UNDER PATENTJuly 12, 2039
- SEIRBPP32985Cercis tree named ‘SEIRB’UNDER PATENTJuly 13, 2040
- RNI-RCC3PP34213Cercis plant named ‘RNI-RCC3’UNDER PATENTJuly 14, 2041
- NC2017-108PP34293Cercis tree named ‘NC2017-108’UNDER PATENTJanuary 12, 2042
- NC2014-5PP35079Cercis plant named ‘NC2014-5’UNDER PATENTOctober 18, 2042
- NC2014-10PP35080Cercis plant named ‘NC2014-10’UNDER PATENTOctober 18, 2042
- NC2017-6PP35279Cercis plant named ‘NC2017-6’UNDER PATENTOctober 18, 2042
- NC2017-8PP35832Cercis plant named ‘NC2017-8’UNDER PATENTOctober 18, 2042
- NC2017-9PP35634Cercis plant named ‘NC2017-9’UNDER PATENTApril 16, 2043
- NC2017-92PP36009Cercis plant named ‘NC2017-92’UNDER PATENTDecember 28, 2043
- NC2017-113PP36029Cercis plant named ‘NC2017-113’UNDER PATENTDecember 28, 2043
- JN100PP36785Cercis plant named ‘JN100’UNDER PATENTAugust 9, 2044
- JN31PP37157Cercis plant named ‘JN31’UNDER PATENTAugust 9, 2044
- JN106PP37158Cercis tree named ‘JN106’UNDER PATENTAugust 9, 2044
- JN104PP37378Cercis plant named ‘JN104’UNDER PATENTAugust 13, 2044
Already in the public domain — 4 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- Hearts of GoldPP17740Eastern redbud plant named ‘Hearts of Gold’PUBLIC DOMAINMay 10, 2025
- Ace of HeartsPP17161Eastern redbud tree named ‘Ace of Hearts’PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 8, 2025
- Little WoodyPP15854Eastern redbud tree named ‘Little Woody’PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 28, 2024
- CoveyPP10328Eastern redbud tree named `Covey`PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 27, 2016
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.