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California Native Plant

Cercis occidentalis

Western Redbud

Plant photo of: Cercis occidentalis
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Information by: The Plant Nerd Inc.        Photographer: Steve Mullany/Frommer

 

Description

This deciduous shrub or small tree ranges from 6'-10' tall and wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in CA in the foothills below 4500' elevations in chaparral and woodland communities.

Maintenance Tips

Cercis occidentalis is a very popular California native deciduous tree. The natural form of this plant is that of a multi-branching shrub; however, it is often shaped to be a single trunk so it can be used in many garden spaces. The best way to keep the maintenance low with this tree is to plant it in a sunny location that has well-drained soil and give it the room it needs to reach its mature size. It is fairly pest and disease-resistant and performs very well as a specimen tree in native gardens. The pruning recommendations will depend on the shape of the specimen. If the tree has the multi-trunk, shrub form, the mature height can be 6-10' tall and wide and will naturally grow into a round, compact form. These forms benefit greatly from the thinning method, removing cross-branching or the longer branches to manage the plant's size. The cuts should be made towards the center of the plant, allowing sunlight into the interior. The single trunk form should be pruned the same way, but it will mature much larger and eventually should be pruned by a licensed arborist. Both forms will lose their leaves in the winter, so this is usually the easiest time to prune since the foliage is out of the way.

 

Plant Type

Tree, Shrub

Height Range

6-12'

Flower Color

Violet

Flower Season

Spring

Leaf Color

Green

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

Brown

Fruit Season

Winter

Leaf Season

Deciduous

Sun

Full

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Multi-trunk Tree, Showy Flowers, Specimen, Standard

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Location Uses

Background, Foundation, Lawn, Raised Planter, With Rocks

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Erosion Control, Shade Tree, Fire Resistant

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Water Saving Tip:

Be sure to fix all leaks promptly no matter how small they may seem.