Redbuds are loved for their pink-fuscia flowers in the early spring. Their range just makes it to the lower part of the lower peninsula, mostly along rivers.
They are a small tree that grows from 12-30 feet tall. The leaves are broad and heart-shaped. Although they are in the pea family (Fabaceae), they don’t fix nitrogen in the soil because they lack the root nodules and bacteria to do so.
I’ve usually got a story or two about any given plant, but this is one of my favorites so I’ll tell it here. Back when our family moved into our house, there were lots of invasive honeysuckles growing behind our fence in the woods. Over the years, as my kids grew, these honeysuckle aged, their berries eaten by birds and spread around in the woods even more.
Once my two oldest boys were about 14 and 9, they went back there and started sawing these shrubs down and making some trails. Later, I did more of the same, plus we let a corner of our yard go wild. Not too many years later, we had several redbuds growing both in the corner and behind the fence. For some reason, I hadn’t noticed redbuds in the area (lack of knowledge) and wasn’t sure where they were coming from.
As it happens, the tree was right next door to us. It’s an old one, struggling but with the largest girth I have personally seen for this species. I love the thought that the clearing of invasive made way for this wonderful old tree to leaves some descendents behind.
The small redbuds we sell are also descended from this tree.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Michigan Flora reference page for statewide distribution: Redbud
Height: 12-30’
Bloom Time: April-May
Soil: moist, rich loam can handle some dry
Sun: part-sun to dappled light
Flower: pink
Life cycle: perennial
Family: Fabaceae
Seed source: Michigan
Sizes:
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Redbuds are loved for their pink-fuscia flowers in the early spring. Their range just makes it to the lower part of the lower peninsula, mostly along rivers.
They are a small tree that grows from 12-30 feet tall. The leaves are broad and heart-shaped. Although they are in the pea family (Fabaceae), they don’t fix nitrogen in the soil because they lack the root nodules and bacteria to do so.
I’ve usually got a story or two about any given plant, but this is one of my favorites so I’ll tell it here. Back when our family moved into our house, there were lots of invasive honeysuckles growing behind our fence in the woods. Over the years, as my kids grew, these honeysuckle aged, their berries eaten by birds and spread around in the woods even more.
Once my two oldest boys were about 14 and 9, they went back there and started sawing these shrubs down and making some trails. Later, I did more of the same, plus we let a corner of our yard go wild. Not too many years later, we had several redbuds growing both in the corner and behind the fence. For some reason, I hadn’t noticed redbuds in the area (lack of knowledge) and wasn’t sure where they were coming from.
As it happens, the tree was right next door to us. It’s an old one, struggling but with the largest girth I have personally seen for this species. I love the thought that the clearing of invasive made way for this wonderful old tree to leaves some descendents behind.
The small redbuds we sell are also descended from this tree.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Michigan Flora reference page for statewide distribution: Redbud
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