How to Grow Cercis occidentalis Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing California Redbud

The Cercis occidentalis plant belongs to the Fabaceae family and so is closely related to beans, peas and other members of the legumes.

The plant is native to the southwestern states of the USA, especuially Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. It carries attrctive pink flowers on clusters in the spring months. It makes a great small tree to grow in a southwestern USA garden.

California Redbud

Botanical Cercis occidentalis photograph by Bri Weldon.

This ornamental plant has attractive leaves that change to a golden or red color once the weather has started to cool down. It makes a great drought tolerant plant.

Quick Growing and Care Guide

Scientific Name: Cercis occidentalis
Common Name (s): California redbud, Western redbud
Growing Zone (USA Hardiness): 7 to 9

Plant Details

Life Cycle / Plant Type: Large shrub, tree, Perennial
Plant Height: up to 18 feet (5.5 meters)
Plant Spread: 6 to 8 feet (180 to 240 cm)
Blooms: Spring and early summer
Flower Details: Pink, purple, magenta. Small. Clusters. Requires winter chill.
Leaf Foliages: Heart shaped. Shiny. Light green leaves turn to red or gold when temperatures start to cool down.

Growing Conditions

Best Light Conditions: Sunny, likes afternoon shade
Suitable Soil Types: Average, clay
Soil Soil Moisture: Tolerates dry soils. Provide water in the summer for better results. Supply water in desert regions.
Soil pH: 5 to 7 (tolerates alkaline soil)
Sowing, planting, and Propagation: Requires four seasons. Protect young seedlings from freezing temperatures (hardy after about three years)

Further Information

Best Garden Use: dry slopes near a water source, wildlife gardens, areas with little rainfall or water supply
Miscellaneous: brown / red-purple legume seed pods. Drought tolerant. Attracts bees, great as part of a wildlife garden. traditionally used to weave baskets. Prune to encourage further twigs. Bark used to produce a red dye.
Family: Fabaceae. Sub. Caesalpiniaceae
Closely related species and genera: Eastern Redbud and Judas Tree; and membes of the Bean Family.
Further Reading and References used: Wikipedia; USDA

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Cercis occidentalis plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Fabaceae growing guides: How to grow Hedysarum and Dolichos plants.