Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) is a small ornamental tree anxious to show its purple/pink colored blossoms before it leaf’s out in late February and early March throughout Central Texas. Native to Austin and surrounding areas, it frequently grows on thin calcareous soils, and is an easy tree to grow and adapt to your area whether it is full to partial sun or as an understory tree in dappled shade. This tree tolerates hot, dry areas once established, it has heart shaped waxy leaves that help retard transpiration. They grow 15 to 25 feet tall as a single trunk tree and are also available as the more natural looking multi-trunk which tend to finish a little shorter.

• Size: A small, vase-shaped tree that typically grows 15 to 20 feet tall
• Leaves: Heart-shaped, thicker, glossier, and with darker green color and wavy margins compared to the eastern redbud. Leaves turn yellow or reddish-purple in the fall
• Flowers: Showy, pea-like flowers that bloom in spring (March-April) on bare branches, appearing pink to magenta or wine-red
• Pods: Produces edible pods when young and purple
• Drought Tolerance: A key feature that distinguishes it from the eastern redbud
• Nitrogen Fixation: As a member of the pea family, it fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving its quality
• Wildlife Value: Attracts pollinators like native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• Edible Blooms: The spring blooms are edible and can be added to salads or used as garnishes