APRIL 12, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 15
RE WEEKLY STORY COUNTY
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Harbinger of spring By Betty Montgomery More Content Now
If you are looking for a dependable tree that is adaptable, look no further. Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) are one of the most appealing native trees. They now come with different colored leaves, different colored flowers and different shapes to add to their charm and appeal. It is a small tree that fills the gap between other flowering trees. It is known to some as the Judas-tree because it is believed that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a branch of a European Cercis tree. In early spring, the eastern redbud is strikingly conspicuous when in flower. It covers itself with a profusion of pea-shaped blooms that are lavender pink to rosy purple. Redbuds appear when the other trees in the woods have bare branches, making the redbud flowers glow, filling the
Eastern redbud’s flowers emerge early in dramatic displays The eastern redbud is a small tree that fills the gap between other flowering trees. [wikimedia commons]
skyline with a majestic color. Today, there are varieties of redbuds that have the same lovely flowers but have leaves that add interest to the landscape. One of these new varieties that I love is Rising Sun. It glows in the sunlight. Rising Sun has brilliant, golden tangerine colored, heart-shaped foliage all summer with no burning, even in full sun. Rising Sun is a vigorous grower with a full, rounded shape and holds its color into autumn. Hearts of Gold is another cervis with wonderful colored leaves. The leaves, which are a mixture of golden and green leaves, look like blooms themselves. The sturdy branches elevate masses of large, heart-shaped leaves that all appear pinned onto the tree in layers. It is a vision of beauty, standing out from a good distance. The maximum height of this tree is between 8 to 12 feet, making it perfect for a smaller garden.
Another new redbud is Carolina Sweetheart. It is a lovely tricolor variegated redbud that adds a wonderful touch to my garden. After the rosy purple flowers fade, the show continues when it’s graceful, heart-shaped leaves emerge. These variegated leaves open shades of pink, red, and white. Tom Ranney at Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center for North Carolina State University in Mills River, N.C., developed this fantastic plant and says that few plants have pink in their leaves and this tree definitely has pink coloration. Ace of Hearts is considered to be quite lovely. I do not have this one but from what I read, it is also a showstopper. It has a compact habit, making it ideal for small gardens. The heart-shaped leaves are on zig-zag stems with a dense dome-shaped canopy, requiring no pruning. It is typically grown as a single trunk and grows to about 12 feet. The
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Harbinger of spring continued... dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall, making it a winner for color. If you want a redbud with white flowers, Royal White is for you. It is noted for pure white flowers and small growth habit. I have one called Texas Whitebud that I have had for many years and it is quite handsome. The white flowers are a treasure to have when other flowering trees are still in tight buds. I always get comments about this wonderful tree. It tends to bloom about a week later than other redbuds. Whitewater is another hot new plant. This small, deciduous tree with beautifully variegated white and green leaves is a good choice to incorporate into your garden where contrasting foliage color is desired. Traditional magenta-pink flowers of the redbud
emerge in the early spring on bare branches, followed by the intriguing white variegated leaves. Some leaves appear to be splattered with paint, while others are blotchy in appearance, but all variegation is a bright white. Some leaves lose a little of their variegation in summer but the tree maintains its small weeping form. As you can see, there are lots of different redbuds, and it is hard to choose which is the best one for a garden. There are even others that I have not mentioned, but these are ones I think are really worth planting. — Betty Montgomery, a master gardener and author of a “Four Season Southern Garden,” can be reached at bmontgomery40@gmail.com.
Eastern redbud distribution Eastern redbud is a native, perennial, deciduous tree which grows 15 to 30 feet tall and spreads 15 to 25 feet. Older trees generally resemble a vase shape. Flowering occurs in March to May before leaf growth. After bloom, the leaves begin growing and gradually turn dark green. States where eastern redbud is found
Source: USDA/NRCS
GATEHOUSE MEDIA
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