The leaves are still fresh on my ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud but you can already see why I picked it as a focal point for our arbor project. My idea was to place the beautiful purple foliage of the redbud where you can view it through the arbor. That can’t be done from all perspectives but as the tree grows larger it will cover a portion of the pathway and will be seen from the front yard offering a focal point for those who wander down the garden path. In a way it will parallel the Japanese Maple near the arbor. It might even turn into a nice place for a bench, but that’s a project for another day! Redbuds grow very well in Tennessee and range all over the state but are especially beautiful on the Cumberland Plateau. Just travel along I-40 in the spring time when the redbuds are blooming and you will see what I mean.
Redbud Growing Info:
Redbuds are zone 6-8 trees that grow around 15-20 feet wide and have a height up to 30 feet. They are actually members of the bean and pea family (Leguminosae). Redbuds tend to grow as understory trees and have long spreading roots which make transplanting difficult.
I can’t wait to see this tree grow. It was one of only a couple ‘Forest Pansy’ redbuds available at the store when we bought it.
The Forest Pansy is such a pretty tree throughout the year. Great choice.
Dave,
Nice choice! Redbuds grow like weeds on our property, but they are not very widespread locally. The wildlife park down the road has a very limited number of them.
I imagine walking in to your house-if invited-and you explaining to me why you placed the couch on such and such a wall and why the curtains hang as they do to cast just the right light on the room. You are so purposefully driven. Does it drive your wife nuts?
You do reap the rewards of all that planning. A well placed tree is worth quite a bit in curb appeal. I need a Redbud.
Looks good Dave. I have one here I’ve had a few years now. This year it barely bloomed, but the leaves are coming out-relief. They do tend to fade to green in the summer but that is okay. I like it anyhow. Soon you’ll have that bench under it for sure.
One of my absolute favorite trees. And silly me last year I hummed and hawed having first pick of 5 beauties. Someone came into the nursery and bought all of them. See, procrastinate and you lose everything.
So this year I have asked them to specifically order me one.
I WILL find room on my deck for it.
Jen
Beautiful tree, Dave. I saw the Red buds from I-40 on my trip up home & they were gorgeous.
I love this tree Dave and wish there were more than one in the yard…Thanks for the reminder, I was wondering when to vote! gail
Thanks Janet! I’ve always liked the spring flowering display of redbuds.
Randy,
They do tend to have quite a few offspring. They are tough to transplant though, long roots across the ground. I’ve moved a few to our yard during the winter and they seem to be doing fine right now.
Anna,
You’ve got me all wrong, I’m only good with the outside! I just have a general plan and follow the guidelines for it then find plants that fit the area or I just like. It all seems to fit somehow!
MBD,
I get anxious when I see a plant I like. For some reason I think it’s going to walk away and I’ll never see it again. That’s why I went and bought a river birch last week too!
Tina,
I’ve seen some that have been purple all through the summer, but also those that didn’t. Do you think it has to do with the amount of light the receive? Some plants like full sun to get the best color.
Lola,
You probably saw the same stretch I like so much. It’s like a painting!
Gail,
You could squeeze another one in! Vote early and vote often!
Hi Dave
This is Muddy boot Dreams sister. The dogs you were wondering about, Blue, the darker one, is part Keeshond and Akida with a smidge of Malamute (hence the one blue eye)all can be used as guard dogs which is why we got Blue, but she is the biggest chicken, but the most cuddly. The other, Charlie, is one of the smartest dogs that I have ever seen. She is Border Collie crossed with Coyote. She has some coyote tendancies. If you have ever seen a coyote hunt, that is Charlie. Digging holes to get the pocket gophers that she has heard way down deep in the ground and then leaping way up in the air and diving into the hole when they show themselves, she also has incredable endurance for running. If you look at her tail in the picture you can see the resemblance to a coyote.
Jackie
PS
I love Forest Pansy trees but unfortunately we are zone 4b and can’t grow them in the Okanagan here in Canada. I am very envious!
Very pretty tree. I just wrote a pretty lengthy post last week on Redbuds (Cercis sp.).
‘Forest Pansy’ is definitely a winner, Dave! A friend has one here and it’s just gorgeous. Because our property’s shaded, we grow the yellow-leaved redbud (along with the species) instead to add a little light. But we really love them all! And how could you not be the winner of the 48-hour competition? Your arbor RULES!!!!