As a kid growing up in Columbus, Ohio we lived between and across from wooded areas, just a couple miles from downtown. In the spring I was always astonished and fascinated to see pink to rose colored flowers emerging from the bark of several of the trees. The Eastern Redbud tree, (Ceris Canadensis) is a common native to most of Eastern United States. Redbuds grow up to 20 to 30 feet with a 20 feet spread and can live 50 to 70 years. The tree is unique because of its unusual way of blooming directly on the bare wood before leaves emerge. In the fall the heart shape leaves turn a buttery yellow. In folklore, Judas committed suicide after betraying Jesus by hanging himself on an Asian cousin of the Redbud, given the common name, the Judas Tree.
The Redbud is a beautiful tree in the spring. In recent years several new hybrids have been introduced. This season I purchased a double blooming variety of Redbud, called Pink Pom Pom. It produces dense clusters of pink flowers on the bare branches.
Another full size Redbud is a purple leafed variety called Forest Pansy. The rosy pink pea-like flowers emerge and are followed with dark purple leaves. As with all the Redbuds, the flowers attract bees, birds and butterflies.
The Rising Sun Redbud is an exciting new introduction. It is a smaller tree growing to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, with pink flowers in the spring. The flowers are followed with yellow, to apricot, yellow, and gold leaves with a hint of peach. All of these leaf colors appear at the same time!
For smaller yards several new weeping varieties are now available. The first popular weeping Redbud was the Covey or Lavender Twist trees. The small tree grows 4 to 10 feet high with a 4 to 10 feet spread. As it ages it takes on a beautiful umbrella shape that is attractive both during the growing season and during the winter months. The origin of the tree is unknown. Miss Cornelia Covey had been given the plant by her parents and after her death the tree was named in her honor.
One of my favorite weeping Redbud is a compact dark purple leafed tree called, Ruby Falls. The small tree grows up to 6 feet tall and is covered with rosy flowers in the spring followed with dark purple leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
A newer Redbud in my garden is a variegated weeping tree named Whitewater. The small tree grows up to 8 feet tall and after the spring flowers produces green leaves splotched with white. Often the leaves will appear nearly all white with green edging. The striking variegation gives the makes the small tree very attractive while flowering and throughout the growing season.
Another new introduction for my garden is a slim weeping Redbud called Golden Falls. The small tree grows to 10 feet tall and after spring blooms it leafs out with bright golden yellow leaves, that turn a lime green toward the end of summer. Information provided by the grower says the golden leaves will not be scorched by the sun.
There are other varieties available including a white flowering Redbud. It might be difficult to find some of the newer varieties and often they have to be purchased by mail as dormant trees from various garden catalog companies. They can be a little expensive too. I remember my mother joking with me that I had spent $89 for a Ruby Falls tree that arrived as a bare three foot stick!
I still have my childhood fascination with Redbuds and am filled with excitement every spring as they bloom!
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