Redbud Tree

Redbuds are a great addition to any garden. Their pink or white blooms emerge directlly on the stems and branches of the trees, creating a unique look in early spring. After flowers are done blooming, foliage shades range from burgundy to gold to orange, making it a tree that works well with a variety of plants.

21 Spring Flowers for Your Garden

Redbuds are easy-to-grow trees that don't need a lot of care. Give them well-drained soils with even moisture and they will be pretty happy. Redbuds do not like to stay too wet and can take some drought once established. For the best display of flowers, plant these small trees in full sun. This will also result in the best foliage color for the varieties that come in different shades, especially the ones with burgundy foliage. These trees are pretty tough and can handle part shade as well. Although growth will tend to be a little sparse when in the shade, redbuds will stay healthy.

Come fall, redbud trees sport beautiful golden color. The decidious tree's seedpods hold on through the winter. Because of the large amounts of seeds they produce, redbuds can seed about the garden but luckily, they are fairly easy to pick up where they aren't welcome.

Redbuds have few problems to note and are fairly disease- and pest-resistant. One thing you may notice is that redbuds are sensitive to herbicides, which cause new growth to look puckered, contorted, or even tattered. When someone, whether it be you, a neighbor, or even a farmer, sprays an herbicide to kill weeds, it can be carried in the wind and affect your redbud's growth.

There have been exciting new introductions of redbuds of late. The latest research released has focused on dwarf varieties, which are ideal for small garden settings. Many novelty varieties have also been introduced, like new weeping forms with burgundy foliage. An example of a recent variety with colored foliage is The Rising Sun, which features orange growth that fades to gold then bright chartreuse.

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