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Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis 'Traveller'

Phonetic Spelling
SER-sis kan-a-DEN-sis tek-SEN-sis
Description

‘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.

More information on Cercis canadensis subsp. texensis.

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Tags:
#weeping#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#interesting bark#specimen#moth caterpillar host#spring flowers#winter interest#cottage garden#mass planting#flowering tree#privacy#deer resistant#pollinator plant#deciduous tree#nectar plant spring#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#winter garden#compact#butterfly caterpillar host#long lived#moth friendly#woodland#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#interesting bark#specimen#moth caterpillar host#spring flowers#winter interest#cottage garden#mass planting#flowering tree#privacy#deer resistant#pollinator plant#deciduous tree#nectar plant spring#urban conditions tolerant#compact habit#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#winter garden#compact#butterfly caterpillar host#long lived#moth friendly#woodland#accent
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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