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JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Fabaceae
CERCIS racemosa
Chain Flowered Redbud, Pendulous Redbud
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
Having the pretty heart-shaped foliage common among all redbuds, this species is unique with its pendent clusters of light pink flowers in mid-spring. Chain flowered redbud is an attractive decidious tree from western China that has a rounded canopy, pretty as a dual-purposed specimen flowering and small shade tree in the landscape.
The grayed sandy brown bark of the branches becomes less interesting in mid-spring once the pastel pink flower buds and glossy light green new leaves emerge. Leaves are plumply heart-shaped and once mature are matte green with a hint of blue-green. The flowers occur in drooping clusters (a raceme) from nodes along the branches. Small green pods result after insect pollination that ripen to brown. In autumn, foliage takes on tints of yellow and gold alongside green.
Grow chain flowered redbud in any moderately fertile, well-draining soil that is moist, regardless of soil's pH. It is moderately drought tolerant. Use it as a specimen lawn tree or small shade tree suited for smaller residential yards where it will not grow out of scale or have aggressive surface roots. This is an oddity for redbuds, and when gardeners see the flowers, it will certainly raise questions and conversations of its uniqueness!
9 - 6
7 - 9
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Tree
Full Sun, Partial Sun
20'-25' / 6.1m - 7.6m
12'-16' / 3.7m - 4.9m
Spring
China
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Drought
Medium
Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Showy
Light Pink
Green, Brown
Green, Light Green
Green
Sandy Brown
No
Single
Yes
Matte
Smooth
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
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