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REDBUD
Cercis canadensis var. texensis
(SER-sis ka-na-DEN-sis teck-SEN-sis)
Oklahoma Redbud, Texas Redbud, Texas Whitebud
| Family |
Leguminosae |
| Description |
A heavily flowering, multi-stemmed native tree that can grow up to 40’ tall and wide |
| Plant habit |
Small to medium tree
Horizontal branching forms an irregularly rounded crown |
| Landscape use |
Plant as a showy specimen tree, or group for a dramatic flowering screen
Excellent planted along edges of woodland gardens |
| Average mature size |
25’ tall x 25’ wide |
| Growth rate |
Moderate to fast
Relatively short life span (average 20-25 years) |
| Sun exposure |
Sun to part sun/shade; prefers afternoon shade |
| Soil requirements |
Adaptable to a wide range of soils |
| Water requirements |
Easy to grow in any well-drained soil
Drought resistant once established, but responds to regular watering |
| Heat tolerance |
Moderate to high |
| Foliage |
Deciduous
Large, leathery, heart shaped, glossy leaves that emerge after flowering
Foliage may be browsed by whitetail deer |
| Flowers |
Clusters of small pink, lavender or white flowers bloom along the branches and trunk prior to leaf emergence
Blooms last longer than other spring flowering trees |
| Blooming period |
Early spring |
| Bark |
Thin and easily damaged; mulch to the drip line to prevent damage
Branching pattern provides an interesting winter silhouette |
| Fruit characteristics |
Seeds are an attractive food source to several bird species |
| Pests and disease |
Few serious, but susceptible to borers, leaf rollers and fungal leaf spot |
| Other |
Varieties interbreed; there are more hybrids than pure forms; leaf shape, color and flower color vary
‘Oklahoma,’ ‘Texas Whitebud’ and ‘Forest Pansy’ |
“Of all the spring flowering trees grown on calcareous soils, redbuds (Cercis) are the most cherished.”
- Scott Ogden, Gardening Success with Difficult Soils.
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