The redbud tree is a common favorite here in the Ozarks. Being one of the first trees to bloom, the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is an early sign of spring. The naked lady of trees, they bloom pink clusters before displaying their delicate heart-shaped leaves. Since they bloom so early in spring, before most trees have leafed out, the otherwise bare branched deciduous forest has a refreshing wash of pink. The blossoms are edible and provide a fun and beautiful way to garnish a salad.
The redbud is a tree of medium height and foliage density. Depending on exposure to sun, they will grow to 15-40 feet tall. Their gracefully arching branches create a pleasing overall shape. In addition to flowering on the tips of younger branches, the redbud can bloom from nearly anywhere on the tree, including the trunk. Upon close inspection, the tiny clustered flowers have the banner, wings, and keel indicative of their pea family association. Once the tree has reached the climax of its bloom, it will begin to leaf out into rounded hearts of 2-5 inches in diameter. After pollination, the flowers will be replaced by pea-like pods of 2-4 inches long. In the fall, the leaves turn from yellows to reds and the pods turn a reddish brown. These trees are a stunning sight and a rewarding choice for those who prefer to landscape with native species.
If we chose to plant native species or allow them to remain if they were already present on the property, we avoid the risk of introducing an invasive plant species or a foreign plant disease. We can expect native plants to be low maintenance since they have adapted to the area’s natural rainfall levels, soil type, and hot and cold weather extremes. The redbud is especially hardy and well adapted to the conditions of the Ozarks. They are extremely drought resistant, can withstand the weight of ice and snow, do well in either shade or direct sun, and grow well in sloped and rocky soils of moderate to low fertility.
When we plant native plants in our yards and public places, we attract the native pollinators and animals that have evolved to depend on these plants. In the case of the redbud, the flowers are an early season source of nectar and pollen for honeybees and the flowers, seed pods, young twigs, and leaves provide food for many animals. Most notably, in many areas of the eastern and south-central United States, the redbud is the primary host plant for the woodland elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici). The adult lays her egg near the flower or leaf buds and the hatched caterpillar eats buds and young leaves. Once they have stored enough nutrients in there rapidly growing bodies, they will spend the next year hibernating in the chrysalis stage among the protective leaf litter at the base of the tree. They will emerge as an adult butterfly when the tree flowers the following spring and feed primarily on redbud flower nectar. Therefore, where redbuds are native, when we select them for our landscaping, we create a native butterfly garden.
Another native species to the Ozarks that blooms early in spring and hosts a native butterfly is our beloved dogwood. More on this tree in a future posting. Until then, take a moment to consider the natives blooming in your area. . . .
Another native species to the Ozarks that blooms early in spring and hosts a native butterfly is our beloved dogwood. More on this tree in a future posting. Until then, take a moment to consider the natives blooming in your area. . . .
