Q. I can never find Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud, at local nurseries. Any idea where I
can locate it?
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| Western Redbud after flowering |
A. Thanks for giving me
the Latin name for this tree instead of just Western Redbud because that
eliminates all confusion about which tree you might mean. If you like a reddish
pink splash of spring color in about March on a small tree, you will like this
tree when it flowers. The Redbud most people buy is an Eastern Redbud but it is
not as suitable for our climate and soils as its Western cousin or even the
Mexican Redbud.
the Latin name for this tree instead of just Western Redbud because that
eliminates all confusion about which tree you might mean. If you like a reddish
pink splash of spring color in about March on a small tree, you will like this
tree when it flowers. The Redbud most people buy is an Eastern Redbud but it is
not as suitable for our climate and soils as its Western cousin or even the
Mexican Redbud.
 |
| Mexican Redbud |
Eastern Redbud is the tree that people call “Redbud” from
the East Coast to the West Coast. Western Redbud is unique. It has never gained
the same popularity. This is the same tree that polkadots the Grand Canyon with
rosy plum color every spring.
the East Coast to the West Coast. Western Redbud is unique. It has never gained
the same popularity. This is the same tree that polkadots the Grand Canyon with
rosy plum color every spring.
 |
| Eastern Redbud has some soil issues in the West and not as adaptable as Western Redbud |
But Western Redbud has significant advantages over the
Eastern Redbud in our climate and soils. First off, Western Redbud handles the
chemistry of our soils much better than Eastern Redbud. That’s because it
evolved here. It is native to southern Nevada and specifically the Charleston
Mountain Range of Southern Nevada. It is small, seldom reaching heights over 20
feet tall, the perfect size for a single-story home and smaller patio-sized landscapes.
Eastern Redbud in our climate and soils. First off, Western Redbud handles the
chemistry of our soils much better than Eastern Redbud. That’s because it
evolved here. It is native to southern Nevada and specifically the Charleston
Mountain Range of Southern Nevada. It is small, seldom reaching heights over 20
feet tall, the perfect size for a single-story home and smaller patio-sized landscapes.
However, it will not tolerate having “wet feet”. In other
words, don’t water it too often. Give it a lot of water when you do water it and
then hold off and let the soil dry before you water it again. It is native to the
foothills of dry Southwestern areas including Utah, Arizona and California. It’s
one of our desert natives.
words, don’t water it too often. Give it a lot of water when you do water it and
then hold off and let the soil dry before you water it again. It is native to the
foothills of dry Southwestern areas including Utah, Arizona and California. It’s
one of our desert natives.
I also think the Western Redbud is a prettier tree when
it’s flowering than the plain old Redbud.
it’s flowering than the plain old Redbud.
Try our State Forest Nursery located in the north part of
the Las Vegas Valley. They specialize in local native plants. 702-486-5411.
the Las Vegas Valley. They specialize in local native plants. 702-486-5411.