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Native alternative(s) for Cercis siliquastrum:
Cercis canadensis tree form with pink blooms
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cercis griffithii Cercis griffithii
Cercis racemosa Form in bloom
Viola pedata Viola pedata

Cercis siliquastrum

Phonetic Spelling
SER-sis sil-ee-KWAS-trum
Description

Mediterranean Redbud is, as it says, from the Mediterranean. It is a multi-trunked understory tree that is drought tolerant and prefers drier climates.  It has a rounded crown and grows 15 to 25 feet tall. The blooms are larger than most Redbuds and appear in spring before the foliage.

Use this tree in woodland settings, as a street tree, specimen tree or in groups.

Please consider planting the native Redbud instead as it is more adapted to our climate.

 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Afghan Deep Purple'
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Bodnant'
  • 'Carnea'
  • 'Fructa Rubra'
  • 'Penduliflora'
  • 'Rubra'
    Dark pink-purple blooms
  • 'Sterilis'
  • 'Variegata'
  • 'White Swan'
'Afghan Deep Purple', 'Alba', 'Bodnant', 'Carnea', 'Fructa Rubra', 'Penduliflora', 'Rubra', 'Sterilis', 'Variegata', 'White Swan'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#pollinator plant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Afghan Deep Purple'
  • 'Alba'
    White flowers
  • 'Bodnant'
  • 'Carnea'
  • 'Fructa Rubra'
  • 'Penduliflora'
  • 'Rubra'
    Dark pink-purple blooms
  • 'Sterilis'
  • 'Variegata'
  • 'White Swan'
'Afghan Deep Purple', 'Alba', 'Bodnant', 'Carnea', 'Fructa Rubra', 'Penduliflora', 'Rubra', 'Sterilis', 'Variegata', 'White Swan'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#pollinator plant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cercis
    Species:
    siliquastrum
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    France to Eastern Mediteranean
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers provide nectar for bees and once pollinated form leguminous pods, the seed can be consumed by birds. Members of the genus Cercis support the following specialized bee: Habropoda laboriosa
    Edibility:
    The flowers are edible and purportedly have a sweet-acid taste.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    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:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    4-inch long showy purple leguminous flat seedpods mature in late summer and last well into winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    3-5 inch clusters of 3/4 inch magenta pea-shaped flowers in early spring before the foliage appears. Blooms on older growth and covers branches and sometimes the trunk.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Nearly round heart-shaped leaves are 3-5 inches wide and long. Young leaves are bronzy-red in spring, deep green in summer and yellow to yellow bronze in fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Dark grey furrowed bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil