Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ is in flower, the pretty little thing. Although the young leaves are a gorgeous purple, the color fades by midsummer in our heat.
On I-81, somewhere in Virginia (at least I think it is Virginia), there is a straight stretch of road between hillside cow pastures where they have planted forsythia in the median. One year, the forsythia flowered at the same time as redbuds bordering the forest above the pasture. The complementary colors were breathtaking.
Cercis are very nice shrubs and trees when they are in bloom in Spring. Here cercis siliquastrum is quite popular. They often bloom together with forsythias.
Comment by Barbara — March 15, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
I don’t think I know Cercis siliquastrum. We have a local nurseryman who will no longer sell Cercis canadensis. He says they are right at the southern limit of their range and don’t grow well here. He has a point, but I find as long as they get some shade, they are OK. It is when they are grown in the open that they are unhappy. They are understory/forest edge trees and need shade for part of the day.
Comment by karen — March 16, 2008 @ 10:01 am
That does sound like a lovely combination. Annie in Austin is trying a Forest Pansy redbud in her garden, though I believe it’s in the shade and therefore maybe holds onto its color longer.
Comment by Pam/Digging — March 22, 2008 @ 4:40 am
Mine’s in part shade. I think they just don’t like our hot summers.
Comment by karen — March 26, 2008 @ 6:36 am