Cercis occidentalis

Identification

Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud.
A Pale Swallowtail butterfly on  the Redbud, Cercis occidentalis, the inset shows Golden Currant, Ribes aureum gracilentum flowered exactly right.  - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis
Pale swallowtail on a Western Redbud - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis, Swallowtail butterfly on redbud
A mourning cloak butterfly in a Western Redbud - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis, Moth? on redbud
Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis, Redbud
Westeren redbud leaves have a cleft chin - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis, the Western Redbud leaf has a split tongue.
Fall color on a Westeren Redbud, Cercis occidentalis - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud is also red foliage in fall in much of the west.
Western Redbud flowers. - grid24_3
Cercis occidentalis
One year in the 1980's the Redbud, Cercis occidentalis and the Golden Currant, Ribes aureum gracilentum flowered exactly right. - grid24_3
An old picture of Redbud and Ribes aureum gracilentum

Description

Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis is a deciduous shrub to small tree, magenta flowers occur in spring, Feb.-April.. Western Redbud is native on dry slopes (usually next to a spring or seasonal creek), coast ranges and Sierra foothills to 4500', east to Utah.  Likes full sun, some summer water for faster growth, regular water in desert areas. It's tolerant of clay soils, needs a winter chill before flowers set properly. Flowers and young pods are edible. The young, small redbud plants are not cold hardy below 20 degrees F. Older plants are no problem at 10 degrees F. or less. Tolerant of lime or acid soils, pH 5.5-8 is safe. In our climate Western Redbud flowers about the same time as Ceanothus, and brings in people from the road who want to know what it is. The flowers usually emerge before the leaves. Its reddish-purple seed pods hang on tree in winter. We used to never have problems with scale, now with Argentine ants there can be a problem. If you get scale, treat with Safer soap, and deal with the ants. Also, the Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis has more problems in a California garden than the Western Redbud. They can be very unhappy,  homesick and usually just sick.
The only real problems we've had with Western Redbud, Cercis occidentalis,  is the need for four seasons. If you plant a Redbud next to the ocean, they may not do dormant, or they may not come out of dormancy. If your garden has never seen frost, Western Redbud may not be for you. If you live in Montana and experience winter temperatures below 0F, Western Redbud is not for you. If you have a typical 20X50 foot front yard in Lodi, Redbud may be the perfect small tree for you. Syn. Cercis orbiculata, Cercis canadensis var. orbiculata

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One Gallon (Up to 59) $ 8.99

Available at our Online store.

Contact: pan@laspilitas.com
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 131 59 $ 8.99

Available at our Santa Margarita store.

Contact: bawilson@laspilitas.com
Hours: Open Saturday only from 9am to 4pm
Address: 3232 Las Pilitas Rd. Santa Margarita, CA 93453
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 50 140 $ 8.99
Five Gallon 0 0 $ 29.99
Fifteen Gallon 0 0 $ 85.00

Available at our Escondido store.

Contact: escondido@laspilitas.com
Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 4pm
Address: 8331 Nelson Way Escondido, CA 92026
Container Size Quantity In Production Quantity For Purchase Unit-Price
One Gallon 63 42 $ 8.99
Five Gallon 12 0 $ 29.99
Fifteen Gallon 0 0 $ 85.00

Characteristics

Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud tolerates alkaline soil and clay.
Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud is great for a bird garden.
Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud's foliage turns a different color in the fall, color is green and type is deciduous.
Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud's flower color is violet and is edible.
Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud's fruit is edible.

Communities

Communities for Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud:Chaparral, Douglas Fir Forest, Joshua Tree Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest and Central Oak Woodland.

Ranges for Cercis occidentalis

ph: 5.00 to 7.70
usda: 7 to 10
height[m]: 1.00 to 5.00
width[m]: 1.00 to 5.00
rainfall[cm]: 54.00 to 123.00

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Last edited on 2012-01-08 18:10:06.

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