Cercis occidentalis
Description
Deciduous shrub to small tree, 14', flowers magenta, Feb.-April. Native 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 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 it 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.
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 color is silver 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, Central Oak Woodland, Joshua Tree Woodland and Yellow Pine Forest.
Ranges for Cercis occidentalis
| ph: | 5.00 to 8.00 |
|---|---|
| usda: | 6 to 10 |
| height[m]: | 1.00 to 5.00 |
| width[m]: | 1.00 to 5.00 |
| rainfall[cm]: | 54.00 to 123.00 |