Ye Ole Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

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Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis

Unfortunately these pictures were taken in the fading light after rains had nearly washed us away the other evening, but you can see the craggy weather-worn structure of our old redbud in the back. Redbud trees are very common here in Tennessee and to me they are the ultimate symbol of spring’s arrival. Their blossoms range from a dark to light purple and they flower profusely in early spring.


In the picture you can see the trunk of the tree blooming with flowers. As the redbud trees grow older they become less shade tolerant and fade away from heart rot and competition from other trees. I suspect that the competition between the trees around it have prevented our redbud from growing enough branches for blossoms and so it produced them on the trunk. Redbuds are self-pollinating trees that form seed pods containing several hard shelled seeds. If you attempt to grow them from seed make sure you stratify them first to help break through that coating. Even after stratification the seeds may remain dormant for several years.


Redbuds are common throughout the eastern United States. They are small trees and are a great choice for gardens with small spaces.

Look around for them if you happen to be driving through the Cumberland Plateau in the springtime, the display there is amazing!

For more information on Redbuds check out the U.S. Forest Service’s web page or for another garden blogger’s perspective visit Dee over at Red Dirt Ramblings.

8 thoughts on “Ye Ole Redbud (Cercis canadensis)”

  1. I love redbuds. It is a shame they are short lived in the relative world of trees. A few years ago a friend came to visit from Mississippi in April. I guess they don’t have redbuds that far down. She could not get over the purple flowers everywhere! Looks to be a good year for them, even for your old guy-trunk buds or not!

  2. Morning, Dave! Thanks for the great info on redbuds. I too think of them as THE symbol of spring here in TN. I was just prepping my own redbud pics for posting when I cruised over to your site and saw this! Great stuff, and be sure to check out my plagiarized photos in tomorrow’s news. 😉

    Also – I have a mystery flower on my site I am hoping you can identify . . .

  5. Tina,

    They have rudbuds in Texas and Oklahoma. They may not be in Mississippi because of some geographical thing. Seems like they should be there though.

    Jen-o,

    I’ll take a look at that photo, can’t wait to see the redbuds!

    Skeeter,

    If you don’t have them there then you should plant one or two! They would be great near your patio area. They are a shade tolerant tree. The ‘Forest Pansy’ redbuds have a purple leaves and the same blossoms. They might be something interesting to look at!

    Melanie,

    You have so much up there in your yard already I bet but you might be able to fit a small one in somewhere. Two of them outstretched over a bed of hostas would look fantastic. 🙂

  6. Redbuds are dear to my heart because we had one right outside my bedroom window where I grew up. We have two small ones that we planted two years ago, but they haven’t grown a whole lot yet.

    On a stretch of road near here, that winds alongside the river, there are oodles of redbuds and when they are in bloom, oh myyyyyyyy, it doesn’t get much prettier than that.

  7. Redbuds are very popular out here in Northern California. They are lovely. I’m excited because I received a few redbud seedlings from the Arbor Society and they are already developing leaves.

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