Greg Grant

The redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a universally loved small tree. The species is named for its native Canada. It’s the state tree of Oklahoma, where it’s also native. We have three different native varieties in Texas, where the redbud is celebrated with its own festival in Denton each March.

The genus name Cercis is the ancient name for the closely related Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) from Europe, from which, according to tradition, Judas hung himself. The eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) can be found along streams and bottomlands from Texas to Florida and north to Ontario. That’s quite a range, and it explains why the eastern redbud has been in cultivation since 1641.

According to the late Robert Vines (“Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest,” UT Press, 1960), redbud flowers were sometimes pickled for salads and even eaten fried in Mexico. They taste like snow peas when they are fresh off the tree. The flowers also have some value as a nectar source for honey. Not to be left out, the seeds are eaten by numerous species of wild birds, and the foliage is browsed upon by the white-tailed deer. At one time the redbud was even appreciated for its medicinal value, as it served as a treatment for dysentery and its bark was used as an astringent.

Most euphoric observers of springtime think a redbud is a redbud, but it’s not. Texas is very unique in that we have three distinct varieties of redbud growing naturally in the state. The pineywoods of East Texas is home to the typical eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis canadensis), common to the eastern half of the country. It tends to prefer acid, well-drained soils and regular moisture. It can be recognized by its medium sized, dull green leaves, which, like all redbuds, emerge after the showy blossoms have fallen.

Central Texas and southern Oklahoma both claim the Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis texensis, formerly C. reniformis). This unique native is characterized by its medium sized, glossy-green leaves and its ability to tolerate drier, more alkaline soils. It is more suited to the harsher conditions of Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio landscapes.

West Texas and northern Mexico sport our most unique native redbud. The Mexican redbud (Cercis canadensis mexicana) has small fuzzy leaves with wavy margins. This adaptation helps it conserve water in its drier habitat. It, too, is uniquely adapted to alkaline soils. All three varieties can be grown in the acidic, moist soils of East Texas as well.

All of these native gems have similar flowers in early spring. Typical redbud flowers aren’t red, of course. They are normally in the purple-pink range, but also can be rosy pink or white. The tiny pea-like flowers usually smother the tree with splendor before any foliage has developed.

Although redbuds are spectacular in the early spring, they are a bit nondescript during the summer and claim only modest yellow foliage during the fall. To perform best, redbuds prefer well-drained soils with fairly regular irrigation to keep leaves from dropping. They aren’t terribly long-lived trees, but are certainly worth having in the landscape.

If the standard redbuds don’t float your boat, consider these alternatives:

– Forest Pansy redbud (Cercis canadensis “Forest Pansy”): Beautiful burgundy foliage is this cultivar’s claim to fame. Forest Pansy has now given birth to two burgundy leafed children, including the weeping “Ruby Falls” and the shiny leafed “Merlot.”

– Lavender Twist redbud (Cercis canadensis “Covey”): This grafted weeping redbud has typical flowers but a “weeping willow” habit.

– Oklahoma redbud (Cercis canadensis texensis “Oklahoma”): This glossy foliaged, grafted selection from southern Oklahoma has the showiest purple-pink flowers of all.

– Silver Cloud redbud (Cercis canadensis “Silver Cloud”): This variegated cultivar also appears to be in bloom when the pink, white and green foliage emerges.

– Texas White redbud (Cercis canadensis texensis “Texas White”): This selection has pristine white flowers before attractive glossy green foliage. It’s wonderful for somewhat shady situations or against dark backdrops.

– Weeping Texas redbud (Cersis canadensis texensis “Traveller”: This rare Dan Hosage introduction has a beautiful weeping habit to complement its showy pink flowers and shiny green leaves.

– Double redbud (Cercis canadensis “Flame”/“Plena”): The flowers on this unique cultivar look like tiny little pink roses.

– Chinese redbud (Cercis chinensis “Avondale”): This Asian selection has such a profusion of purple-pink flowers that they entirely cover the stems.

Greg Grant is the Smith County horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. You can follow him on Facebook at Greg Grant Gardens, read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com or read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com). For more information on local educational programming, go to smith.agrilife.org.