Spring is a marvelously colorful time of year, with all the flowers and leaves unfolding as the days become warmer. And one of the brightest, boldest harbingers of spring is the redbud tree.
These showy bloomers send out flowers earlier than most other trees, and the color can last for weeks, completely covering the branches from trunk to tip.
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These trees can generally boast a good bill of health, stay fairly petite, and won’t become invasive, so you won’t be digging the roots out of your sewer pipes anytime soon.
They’re hardy down to USDA Zone 4 and up to Zone 9, and don’t need any special pruning or care.
In other words, there’s a lot to love about these plants and very little not to.
Of course, as with any plant, the redbud has its unique needs – especially if you want to enjoy the most dazzling display possible. We’ll talk about those needs and a lot more in this guide.
Here’s what’s coming:
By the way, if you or someone you know is a budding forager, this is an excellent plant to start with.
It’s instantly recognizable in the spring and there aren’t any dangerous lookalikes.
More experienced foragers know that it’s also time to start hunting for morels when the blossoms are in bloom.
Cultivation and HistoryRedbud is the common name for plants in the Cercis genus, which is part of the Fabaceae family. If you know your botany, then you’ve probably realized this plant is a member of the legume family.
Yep, that’s right. The redbud tree is closely related to the humble garden pea.
It’s a little difficult to see the resemblance, but once you get a good look at the fruit
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