Horticulture Notebook is a series of quick-reference articles focused on some of the favorite plants among Descanso’s staff and visitors. Each notebook page is a concise study of a plant and a guide to its location in the landscape.

Plant: Cercis (Redbud)
Size: 20’ x 20’ vase-shaped growth with irregular branches.
Flowers: Profuse pea-like magenta flowers in spring.
Season: Deciduous tree. A spectacular display of spring flowers is followed by green leaves in summer and nice yellow color in fall.
Provenance: North America, Asia and southern Europe.
Location at Descanso: Entrance Drive, Main Parking Lot, Rose Pavilion and California Native Plant Gardens.

This genus of small deciduous trees contains about seven species, all of which are known for their spectacular spring display of dark pink flowers. Cercis is commonly known as redbud, a name derived from the color of the flower buds. Two species, C. occidentalis (Western Redbud) and C. canadiensis (Eastern Redbud) are readily available in nurseries and make great selections for small gardens. Redbuds will grow in most soils, provided there is good drainage. They are slow growing, do not have invasive root systems and are generally not prone to disease – all desirable characteristics when selecting a specimen tree.

The magenta flowers usually emerge before the leaves, closely hugging the trunks, the old branches and the young branches. A winter chill usually will promote more profuse flowering in the spring. Green heart-shaped leaves follow the flowers and are soon joined by clusters of dark seed pods that hang on the tree throughout winter. Redbuds, best planted when young, like sunny locations and are able to tolerate long, hot, dry summers.

Many cultivated varieties are available locally. Among them are the white flowering ‘Alba’; ‘Avondale’ with dense, magenta flowers, and ‘Forest Pansy’ with its magenta flowers and unique purple leaf.