Plant
Eastern redbud
6 US plant patents name this plant. 4 have expired, so those cultivars are free to propagate and sell. The next of the 2 still protected comes off patent on October 8, 2028.
Still under patent — 2 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
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
Botanically this is Cercis. A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked. Any brand name it is sold under is a separate thing and may still be owned.