Late winter flowers on an Oklahoma redbud in the azalea garden at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station. (Photo by Allen Owings)

Redbuds are one of our more popular early spring-flowering small trees. The most common redbud species is the Eastern redbud – Cercis canadensis – the one we primarily plant in Louisiana. Other redbuds include forms that are native to Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.

Redbuds usually start flowering in mid-February in Louisiana and continue through late March.

Redbuds are very adaptable and easy to maintain once established. They are sometimes slow to establish but then have a moderate growth rate. It is important to select a well-drained soil. They are not as susceptible as dogwoods to loss because of poorly drained soils, but they prefer moist to average-moisture sites over dry or wet sites. A slightly acid soil pH of 6.0-6-5 is recommended.

It is best to plant redbuds in partially sunny to partially shady locations. Full sun and full shade are not as good. Foliage needs to be protected from western afternoon sun exposure in summer.

Flower colors vary on redbuds. They can be light, medium or dark pink; rosy purple; pinkish purple or fuchsia – but they’re not red. A white-flowering variety, typically called Alba, is becoming more available. Flowers eventually develop into brown, bean-like seed pods that are visible from early summer through maturity in late fall.

Forest Pansy is the redbud variety that is currently popular. It was introduced a number of years ago and now is becoming highly desired. The unique feature of Forest Pansy is dark reddish-purple foliage. Flowers are pinkish lavender. Full sun bleaches out the reddish-purple pigmentation in foliage, so partial shade is recommended.

Other redbud species and varieties include Mexican redbud (Cercis mexicana) with pink flowers, Texas redbud (a botanical variety of the Eastern redbud) and the Oklahoma redbud (known for glossy foliage). A weeping variety of redbud – Traveler – can be found through mail order specialty nurseries.

Redbuds are an under-used native tree in Louisiana. Consider the addition of this small ornamental to your landscape. January and February would be a great time to plant.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren