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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

Mediterranean Redbud Cercis siliquastrum

Other Common Name(s):

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

 

This species is not widely available nor is it recommended for NC gardens. Please consider planting Cercis canadensis and its cultivars.

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.

 

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#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#pollinator plant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife 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#nectar plant#spring flowers#specialized bees#pollinator plant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#wildlife 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