Cercis canadensis (Red Bud)

Another tree currently blooming in the North Central Florida landscape that cannot go unnoticed is Cercis canadensis (Red Bud).  Despite its name, Red Bud has more of a prurplish to pink flower that should remind you of a bean flower. That is because this tree is a member of the pea family Fabaceae and plants within the same family usually exhibit a very similar flower. That being said the fruit of Red Bud is a pod. Red Bud’s native range is Florida to New Mexico and along the eastern seaboard north to Canada.

Red Bud grows between 15 and 30 feet tall and is not much to look at in the winter when it has no leaves. But it will remind you why you planted it there Janurary – March (depending on where you live) when the flowers start to open. The trunk and old branches of the tree are covered with flowers and the tree seems to glow a hue you only see in sunsets. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies to your yard.  Planted in the right place this is an all around rewarding tree.