chinensis ‘Avondale’. Chinese redbud. A delightful small tree with arching
branches, lined in their first year by bright green, broadly heart shaped
leaves 3-4” long. It produces masses of bright pink flowers, each over
1/2” long, with the leaves in spring. This species appreciates ordinary
garden conditions, with moderate watering through the summer.
occidentalis. Western redbud. A native shrub or multitrunk small tree,
usually 6-15' tall. It is beautiful in winter for crooked, purplish-brown
branches. Covering the branches in early spring are masses of pink to rose-purple
blossoms. The 2-3" leaves are nearly round, bluish green to deep green
above, changing to anything from pale yellow to brilliant scarlet in fall.
Our plants are seedlings from selected populations of shrubby habit, with
very dark flowers. Probably the most heat- and drought-tolerant of the
group.
racemosa. China. This is described by one writer as “the most beautiful
species in the genus”. It is a large shrub or small tree, growing more
or less erect to as much as 25’. The leaves are up to 4" long and nearly
heart-shaped, bright green above and pale beneath. Nodding, many-flowered
clusters of light pink blossoms are carried on the older stems in spring.
It should have at least moderate watering in summer. Hardy to 10oF. or
less.
reniformis. Texas redbud. A tree growing up to 30’ (often less), with broad,
thick 2-3" leaves, dark green above, pale and furry beneath. It produces
many dense, pendant clusters of deep to pale pink flowers along the mature
branches in spring. ‘Oklahoma’ is distinguished by more compact habit and
generous production of dark reddish purple flowers. ‘Texas White’ is (oddly
enough) a pure white-flowered selection.
CERCIS.
Redbud. North America, Europe, Asia. A group of highly ornamental shrubs and
small trees, with many features to recommend them. Most have multiple, picturesque
trunks with smooth tan to purplish bark. The round to heart shaped leaves are
colorful both in new growth and again before they drop in the fall. Mature leaves
during the growing season are usually dark green to blue-green above, with paler
undersides. Clusters of small reddish purple to white blossoms, resembling those
of the peas, appear with or before the leaves in spring. Even the flattened
seed pods can be ornamental. Some, though not all, species are also tolerant
of poor soils, high summer heat, and drought when established. All of the following
are hardy to 0oF
or below.