Cercis occidentalis

Identification

Description

Redbud is a deciduous shrub to small tree, 14', flowers magenta, 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. Its reddish-purple seed pods hang on tree in winter. 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. 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 has more problems in a California garden than the Western Redbud. They can be very unhappy and homesick.

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