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Chinese Redbud Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Chinese Redbud

Cercis chinensis

Family loyalty.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Cercis
Native to
China, Japan
Bloom season
Spring
Type
deciduous shrub
Height
8-15 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, moist, loamy
Water
moderate
Hardiness
6-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Chinese redbud blooms directly on old wood and even the trunk, a phenomenon called cauliflory.
  • The flowers appear before the leaves, covering the bare branches in dense clusters of vivid magenta.
  • In Chinese tradition, the plant is called 'zi jing' and is associated with family reunification stories.
  • The flower buds are edible and have a mild, slightly tangy flavor; they are sometimes added to salads in China.
  • Chinese redbud tends to be more shrub-like and multi-stemmed compared to its American cousin, the eastern redbud.

Color meanings

0

betrayal redeemed

1

faithfulness

Uses

  • specimen plant
  • spring garden focal point
  • edible flowers