Smooth Redbud Cercis glabra
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cercis yunnanensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- SER-sis GLAY-bruh
- Description
-
This species is not widely available nor is it recommended for NC gardens. Please consider planting Cercis canadensis and its cultivars.
The native habitat of the Smooth Redbud includes dense forests, mountain slopes, along valleys that are adjacent to roads as well as rocky locations. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis which means weaver's shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver's shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom.
Like other redbuds, profuse racemes of flowers appear in the spring before the foliage.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer.
Form: Upright vase; shrubby
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Celestial Plum
Plum purple flowers.
- Celestial Plum
- Celestial Plum
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Celestial Plum
Plum purple flowers.
- Celestial Plum
- Celestial Plum
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cercis
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Description:
- The purple/red legumes will turn brown when mature.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Rose-magenta flowers in early spring on short axillary racemes, each bearing up to 10 flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Reniform
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are thickly papery to almost leathery. Young leaves can be a purple/red, maturing to green. The undersides have tuffs of hairs in the vein axils. With typically 7 major veins and inconspicuous minor veins.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Black
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The Smooth Redbud is often multi-stemmed. Its trunk can reach a diameter of up to 12", occasionally more.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Mass Planting
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
