April Tree of the Month-Redbud
One of the easiest trees to identify in spring is our native redbud, Cercis canadensis. The long-lasting purple blooms stand out against the early flush of green along roadsides, the forest edge, in backyards, and urban areas. I can’t imagine St. Louis in spring without redbud trees.
Nicknamed ‘Dead-bud’ in the horticulture industry, redbuds are sadly short-lived and prone to dead branches, here and there, throughout their short lives. Occasionally one will defeat the odds and last for 20+ years. These usually have incredible character, giving them the appearance of a tree 100 years old or more.
In nature, redbuds grow 20-30’ and love the forest edge-protected to some degree but still getting more light than their neighbors. They can survive in full sun, but who doesn’t appreciate a little afternoon shade during a St. Louis Summer? Fertile, well-drained soils are preferred, but this is one tough, adaptable tree that seems to forgive less-than-ideal planting situations.
Tons of cultivars exist; weeping forms, purple or chartreuse-colored leaves, or a combination.
Pictured below is ‘Covey’ (sometimes sold as LAVENDER TWIST) One of the first cultivars available with its 5-10’ weeping form.
-Forest Pansy is a purple leaf cultivar with the same flowers and size as the original species.
-FLAME THROWER has purple and chartreuse leaves on the same tree.
-‘Royal White’ is more compact with pure white flowers.
Why I love this plant;
-It’s native.
-Beautiful, long-lasting blooms in early spring.
-Comes in purple or white flowering forms.
-Many cultivars are available now with purple or chartreuse foliage and weeping forms.
-Can obtain character as it ages.
-Deer resistant.
What’s not so great?
-‘Dead buds’ are notorious for constant dead branches and short lives.
-Proficient seeders, there are usually seedlings that spring up around the mother tree. (Nice if you need a replacement in the same spot!)
-Not a great choice near a driveway or patio due to the mess.
-Prone to included bark, where the trunk often splits halfway up into two trunks.
-Does not transplant well. If you spot a seedling and want to move it, the earlier, the better.
-Prone to a multitude of issues from canker, mildew, and leaf spot to Japanese beetles, webworms, scale, and borers. Air circulation, regular pruning of dead branches, and fertilizing can help maintain your redbud.
The purple leaf cultivars tend to fade back to a dull green by mid-summer.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
