Western Red Bud

 

 

Cercis occidentalis



Fabaceae

756px-Cercis_occidentalis_red_rock_canyon.jpg

cercis_occidentalis.jpeg

 

 

Form: Shrub or small tree
Seasonality: Perennial
Size: 10 - 18 feet tall; 10 feet wide
Leaves; Blue green 3 inch leaves, notched or rounded tip; turns light yellow or red in autumn

Flowers: Clusters of magenta sweet pea like flowers bloom in the spring on bare twigs, branches and trunk,  needs several hours below freezing to bloom
Fruit:
Magenta seed pods in summer turning reddish brown and persistent through winter.
Trunks: Usually produces several trunks from base
Stems/Trunks: Multiple woody stems

Range/Origin: California, Arizona, Utah
Hardiness: Sunset zones 4- 24; USDA: 8-11

Comments: Low litter. No thorns

 

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Exposure; Full to partial sun
  • Water; Low to moderate
  • Soil: Tolerant, well drained
  • Propagation: Seed
  • Maintenance; Minimal

 

Return To:

Common name

Latin/Scientific name