How to Choose a Redbud Tree

Welcome to spring and look at this Appalachian red redbud behind me. What a great tree and it really is a great under story tree for your landscape. I'm Dave Epstein. This of course is Growing Wisdom. There are several varieties of redbuds that you can add to the landscape. I want to just tell you about a few lavender twist, perhaps my favorite. I put it in my own yard this year. Look at the great weeping branches of that and the wonderful purple color.

There is also forest pansy which is another more typical redbud with the structure growing upright. It's not weeping and then of course we have royal white redbud which seems like an oxymoron because it's white but it's called a redbud. But, nonetheless, if you like white what a great plant. These are one of the earlier blooming trees blooming in April and into early May depending on the year and your location. In some parts of the country, they may even bloom our later in March. They like morning sunshine, afternoon shade.

They can be planted as an under story tree. They get to be between 15 and 20 feet high; however, the weeping variety stays much shorter six to 10 feet so it's a better choice closer to your house or in a smaller landscape. The leaves of redbud will be more oblong when they come out later on in the spring. It really is an interesting tree to add because of the early blooming flowers and of course, the foliage later on.

So if you're looking for early color and you want a smaller tree, perhaps a redbud is for you. come back every week for all of our tips, hints and helps at Growing Wisdom.