Blooming All Over Chicagoland and In Zone 5 Gardens
The colorful purple leaves of the 'Forest Pansy' Redbud are beautiful all season."I want one of those trees, you know the ones you see blooming along the Lake, lavender-pink ?" is a frequent question I get . Cercis Canadensis . Redbud. That's what you want.
The redbud is a wonderful small ornamental tree reaching 15 x 15 feet in most gardens. Truth be told it is not a really long lived one, however, averaging about 15-20 years. Even though it says it will survive in Zone 4, in my experience it needs a rather protected site, even in Zone 5.
Legend has it that Judas Iscariot hung himself from the European species of this tree, thus it is sometimes referred to as " The Judas " tree. It's flowers can be eaten fried or tossed in salads . Cardinals are attracted to its seeds.
The Redbud needs a soil with lots of organic matter and does better if protected from windy, bitterly cold areas.
My redbud in zone 5 took quite a beating this spring with the cold April weather. And every year there are a few dead branches to prune out. But it is quite pretty most springs and I think well worth having in any garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol,
ReplyDeleteA lot of trees and shrubs took a beating this spring. I agree with you about the redbud being worthy of having in any garden. They are truly spectacular.
Carolyn,
ReplyDeleteI was just about to come and ask you after spending the week on the South Side and seeing this tree ALL over the place.
Thanks for posting about it.
Not at all MrBrownthumb. People seem to fall in love with the very graceful redbud and of course it cheers us up to see the beautiful color so early in the season.
ReplyDelete