Redbuds are not uncommon here - we sell a lot of them. They are perfectly happy in full sun. Rather susceptible to verticillium wilt and tend not be exceptionally long lived. And not drought tolerant - water well in summer. Western redbuds, Cercis occidentalis, are rather better suited to this area but far less common. A bit more shrubby in form.

Thank you! That's good news.

I'm an old Kansas transplant and have had an eastern redbud here in Shoreline for about 30 yrs..happy in poor sandy soil along the street and full sun......about 30' tall with a trunk 10" thru at the base. It is getting to be a little bit of a geriatric case but still looks good. I'm looking forward to it blooming in a few weeks

Let's see: if the tree is a geriatric case and you planted it, then that must mean...

ha ha ha! He's gotcha there! Wait a minute...what does that make ME then? Hey!

I planted an Eastern Redbud 'Forest Pansy' last summer and got to enjoy its beautiful fall foilage. I keep checking it and so far it only has the tiniest little knobs of buds on the branches. When exactly does the Eastern Redbud bud out in the northwest?

They do bud out late. I can't recall the exact date, but ours is always one of the last plants in our garden to open up. I am always wondering if it died.

jb

As a rule Cercis are characteristic of hot climates. Note that there are species native to much of USA, including California but the genus gives our region a wide berth. Plant in full sun and good drainage.

Cercis canadensis is common as a planted tree in Seattle. See Jacobson, TREES OF SEATTLE - SECOND EDITION for locations of specific examples.

Chucklin' about bboy's ? about relative ages.....yesssssss.....I reckon I qualify bein' on the far side of 60. Many younger ones wish they could keep up tho and thankin' my great ancestors for that.

I like that it buds later, staggered a bit with the other trees. Full sun is good news, since I have very little shade!

Heather

Must be all those toys.

I have an Eastern Redbud, "Forest Pansy'" in the front yard. Planted in 1996. Clay soil, amended before the tree went into the hole. No problems. Pretty purplish buds are not blooming yet. Then the heart shaped leaves appear. I get much more excited about vegetable gardening, but this is one lovely tree. I hope you enjoy yours.

Mary

Mary, do you have any photos of yours? I'd love to see it.

I'm sorry, sarahmakes6, I don't have any photos. Have you googled to find a picture? I have not experimented with Asian gardening, but I bet it would be lovely in a formal Japanese or Chinese garden. Just my 2 cents.

Mary

Thank you everyone for saying your cercis has not bloomed yet! Everyday I am all but begging my tree to bloom. Toward the end of last summer we did not water very well and I was afraid it was dead. But, I too, see very little buds forming on the branches. At this point they look dried up, but I keep hoping.

You don't say where you are, but redbuds have been in bloom in Seattle area for awhile now.

Mine is now in bloom. Lovely tree.

Mine never bloomed. It has leaves now. I think it must have bloomed just before I bought it.

Heather

I am looking for some seeds if anyone knows where to get them