Cercis occidentalis - Western redbud
DESCRIPTION
Western Redbud
Cercis ocidentalis
This stunning small tree provides interest in all four seasons! In spring, its silvery-gray branches are covered with bright magenta flowers that attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and other helpful pollinators.
In summer, the flowers are followed by long, purple-brown seed pods that hang from the branches. These pods make the tree look like it blooms twice in one year.
The leaves start out fresh apple green in spring and become blue-green in summer. In fall, they turn beautiful shades of golden yellow and rusty red.
BENEFITS
- Magenta flowers
- Grows up to 15 ft tall
- Pest and disease resistant
- Native to California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona
- Great for beds and borders
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native)
INTERESTING FACTS
Western redbud wasn’t just admired for its spring blooms—California Native peoples relied on it as a top-tier crafting material. They skillfully managed redbud shrubs by coppicing them in winter or early spring, encouraging long, flexible, perfectly straight stems.
These stems became the backbone of everyday essentials like cradleboards, sifters, and winnowing baskets. They even crafted incredibly tight coiled cooking baskets that could hold water! One water-tight basket required about 75 stems, each roughly 2.5 feet long. In well-managed stands, just six shrubs could supply everything needed, while unmanaged areas required visits to 150 shrubs to gather the same amount.
A perfect example of how traditional ecological knowledge shaped both culture and landscape.
GROWING TIPS
Grows well in average to moist soils but well-drained, with low amount of water. This plant is low maintenance.
Mature Size: 10-15' T x 10-15' W
Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun
VIDEO
Coming Soon!
American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download