Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis 'Traveller'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis tek-SEN-sis
- Description
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‘Traveller’ redbud is a woody, deciduous, perennial shrub or tree in the Fabaceae (bean) family that can grow 2 to 5 feet in height and 2 to 12 feet in width. It has a rounded, weeping form and medium growth rate. It was found as a seedling in a row of trees at Madrone Nursery, San Marcos, Texas. Its native habitat includes Texas, Oklahoma, and northern Mexico. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis which means weaver’s shuttle, referring to the seed pod’s resemblance to the size and shape of a weaver’s shuttle. The name redbud, not surprisingly, comes from the color of its buds.
Plant ‘Traveller’ in full sun to partial shade in non-acidic soil with good drainage, moist, and occasionally dry. It is more drought and heat tolerant than other redbuds. However, it is not as cold resistant.
The pea-like purple, showy flowers grow in clusters in spring and winter. The flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and moths, and once pollinated form leguminous pods with seeds that are enjoyed by birds. The pods start out red and mature to brown being most noticeable when the leaves drop in the fall. It serves as a food source for the larvae of the Henry's elfin (Callophrys henrici) butterfly.
Springtime is often a welcomed season, and this redbud, along with other varieties, will be among the first to bloom in your garden. But, spring is not the only season that will be enhanced by this specimen. Its form will add beauty to a winter garden. From its sturdy trunk, branches radiate in an outward and downward fashion, forming a beautiful arching form. It can be used in all types of landscapes including borders, naturalized areas, slopes, small spaces, and woodlands. It enhances cottage, and pollinator gardens and can be planted in mass to form a privacy screen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Texas, USA
- Distribution:
- OK, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the seeds. Serves as a host for the Henry's Elfin butterfly.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Screening
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This cultivar does not set fruit. However, it tends to have legumes that start out red and become brown by the fall. They emerge when the flowers are no longer blooming, but are not noticeable until the leaves have fallen.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers form in clusters on the main branches as well as on stems. Four to eight small flowers are contained in each cluster, appearing as tiny sweet peas.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Velvety
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves emerge reddish and mature to deep green glossy, leathery, hairy leaves.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Smooth
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Square
- Bark Description:
- The bark provides interest in your winter garden. As the tree ages, the smooth bark will have a more rugged appearance with small rectangular plates of a brownish bark that will form irregular patterns.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The form is multi-stemmed. It makes a nice addition to your winter garden.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Urban Conditions
