Redbuds
Botanical name: Cercis
Redbuds
Botanical name: Cercis
Description
Redbuds are a small group of trees and shrubs native to temperate regions around the world. The plants of this genus are all characterized by their pinkish-red blooms and rounded or heart-shaped foliage. Though primarily cultivated as ornamentals, the species are also used in woodturning and the production of wood veneer.
Species of Redbuds
Texas redbud
Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) is a variant of the eastern redbud tree found between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains of North America. The redbud is the official state tree of Oklahoma. The flowers can be eaten raw or fried, so they're occasionally added to foods as flavoring. The nuts can also be roasted.
Eastern redbud 'Merlot'
Eastern redbud 'Merlot' is a cultivated Eastern redbud tree with distinctive leaves that set it apart from others in the family. The leaves are a dark, almost blackish red color, similar to Merlot wine. It’s also how the tree got its name. While cultivated for its foliage, the tree is also heat and drought tolerant, unlike other Redbud species.
Judas tree
Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) is a small deciduous tree indigenous to Southern Europe and Western Asia. The judas tree is pollinated by bees. This species is protected in Israel. It grows best in deep, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade.
Eastern redbud 'Forest Pansy'
A variant of Redbud, eastern redbud 'Forest Pansy' possesses distinctive, striking foliage; unlike other cultivars, this plant's leaves are well and truly red, emerging in late summer after several weeks of displaying pea-like pink flowers (from which the cultivar derives its name). It thrives in full sun or partial shade and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Western redbud
Western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) is a flowering plant used by the indigenous people of California for weaving baskets. The bark can be used to make a reddish dye. Western redbud is often planted as an ornamental species.
Chinese redbud 'Don Egolf'
Chinese redbud 'Don Egolf' is named after a plant breeder from the US National Arboretum and is grown from the Chinese redbud tree. It features a profuse display of mauve-colored flowers over the full extent of the tree. It is shorter than its parent tree, has only a single trunk, and is sterile, meaning it does not grow seed pods.
Eastern redbud 'Hearts of Gold'
Eastern redbud 'Hearts of Gold' is distinct for its pink-purple flowers and golden leaves. A cultivar of Cercis canadensis, its name refers to those heart-shaped leaves. Gardeners love this plant for its colorful foliage: Complementing its springtime blooms, the leaves emerge orange-red, mature to gold, and fade to chartreuse over the summer.
Chinese redbud 'Avondale'
Chinese redbud 'Avondale' is a popular garden plant with stunning lavender-pink flowers and an attractive, tiered form. Its edible flowers can be used in salads or as a garnish. This ornamental plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and grows well in full sun to part shade.
Eastern redbud 'Alley Cat'
Though it retains the standard eastern redbud's characteristic pink blossoms, eastern redbud 'Alley Cat' produces strongly variegated leaves rather than its predecessor's solid heart-shaped ones. The trees are tough, surviving adverse environmental conditions and requiring very little care, much like their feline namesake.
Eastern redbud 'Ruby Falls'
The description of the Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' is of a beautiful small weeping tree that offers velvety purple- or ruby-colored heart-shaped leaves that turn to green-bronze in the fall. Purple-rose flowers emerge in spring. It was bred by Dr. Dennis Werner of NCSU and named by 5-year-old Porter Neubauer of Tennessee. You can plant this beautiful ornamental tree to use as a focal point in your garden to attract butterflies and bees.
Chinese redbud
Chinese redbud is a densely branched small tree or shrub known for its abundant purple-red flowers. These blooms make it a popular ornamental plant well suited to specimen or group plantings in naturalized gardens. It is also grown as a street tree. The flowers attract bees, and the seedpods are eaten by birds.
Eastern redbud
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.
Mexican redbud
Mexican redbud are a small group of trees and shrubs native to temperate regions around the world. The plants of this genus are all characterized by their pinkish-red blooms and rounded or heart-shaped foliage. Though primarily cultivated as ornamentals, the species are also used in woodturning and the production of wood veneer.
Scientific Classification
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