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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
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#shrub#nectar plant#showy leaves#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer browsing plant#pollinator plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Celestial Plum
    Plum purple flowers.
Celestial Plum
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#shrub#nectar plant#showy leaves#showy fruits#specialized bees#deer browsing plant#pollinator plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#bee friendly#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Gray
  • 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.
  • 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