- Botanical name: Cercis siliquastrum
- Plant Type: Tree, Deciduous
Pink
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Autumn colour
- Flowers
Cercis siliquastrum, also known as the Judas tree, European redbud or love tree, is a beautiful small tree. In late spring, the bare branches are smothered in pea-like magenta flowers, popular with bees. These are followed by pretty, heart-shaped leaves that turn butter yellow before falling in autumn. Purple seed pods appear in summer.
As it’s slow growing and relatively compact, reaching around 4.5m x 4m in 20 years, the Judas tree is one of the best trees for small gardens. It’s often multi-stemmed, which means it has an architectural appearance even when the branches are bare in winter.
Cercis siliquastrum ‘Bodnant’ has pink-purple flowers and has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
For best results grow your Judas tree in well-drained soil, in a sunny, sheltered spot. Mulch annually with well-rotted leaf mould, garden compost or well-rotted manure. Prune only to maintain its shape if needed, after flowering.
Where to buy Cercis siliquastrum online
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How to grow Cercis siliquastrum
-
Plant size
4.5m height
4m spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does fruit in July |
A
Plant does not fruit in August |
S
Plant does not fruit in September |
O
Plant does not fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do not Take cuttings in May |
J
Do not Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do Take cuttings in August |
S
Do Take cuttings in September |
O
Do Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Cut back | ||||||||||||
| Cut back |
J
Do not Cut back in January |
F
Do not Cut back in February |
M
Do not Cut back in March |
A
Do not Cut back in April |
M
Do not Cut back in May |
J
Do not Cut back in June |
J
Do Cut back in July |
A
Do not Cut back in August |
S
Do not Cut back in September |
O
Do not Cut back in October |
N
Do not Cut back in November |
D
Do not Cut back in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do not Collect seeds in May |
J
Do not Collect seeds in June |
J
Do Collect seeds in July |
A
Do not Collect seeds in August |
S
Do not Collect seeds in September |
O
Do not Collect seeds in October |
N
Do not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Cercis siliquastrum and wildlife
Cercis siliquastrum is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Cercis siliquastrum poisonous?
Cercis siliquastrum has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Cercis siliquastrum
