![]() ![]() They may live to be 50 or 75 years old but can be susceptible to cankers when stressed. Redbuds prefer moist but well drained soils and do not tolerate poorly drained soils. They tolerate part shade to sun but the more sun, the more prolific the showy blooms will be. Redbuds are easy to grow, especially when transplanted at small sizes, and are relatively fast growing. They occur most commonly on calcareous soils but also do well on acidic soils. Individual redbuds may vary in hardiness and other attributes, depending on the region they evolved in, so it is always best to obtain a tree from a regional source.įound in a variety of habitats from rich, moist forests, to dry barrens, and from woodlands along waterways to old fields and roadsides, redbuds are adaptable trees. Redbuds are well known for their large geographic range extending from New York and Connecticut, west to Iowa and south to Florida and west along the Gulf coast to Texas and south into Mexico. Twigs are reddish brown with a distinctive zigzag pattern between the alternate leaves. The bark is thin and brown developing dark brown scaly ridges and narrow furrows. Often branched low to the ground, multiple graceful trunks grow in a graceful vase shape with tiered branches adding architecture and interest year-round. Redbuds grow quickly, reaching 15 – 30’ in height with a spread of 20 – 35’. Each one-half inch flower consists of an upper petal, two flared wing petals and a pair of lower petals fused into a keel or lip and are sometimes described as looking like little rosy hummingbirds. ![]() The buds have the amazing ability to emerge directly from the bark of the trunk and bare branches in a process called “cauliflory” or “stem flower”. ![]() The individual flowers are held together in tight clusters creating an incredibly dramatic spring show. They are a member of the Pea Family with distinctive rosy-purple pea-like flowers that bloom profusely from the bare branches before the tree leaves emerge. Eastern Redbuds are one of the most beloved deciduous understory trees. ![]()
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