Search
Close this search box.

Western Redbud

Cercis occidentalis

Description

The western redbud is one of the premier flowering plants of our California flora. It grows into a large deciduous shrub or small tree and can reach 10-20 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. Round green leaves, 2-3 in. wide are heart-shaped at the base. Showy clusters of pea-shaped flowers occur in early spring and range in color from light to deep magenta. Flat 2-3 in. long seedpods mature through spring and summer and persist while the plant is deciduous in winter.

Western redbud is one of the most popular native plants for California gardens. It naturally grows as a multi-branched shrub that can mature after many years into a small canopy tree. It grows well in sun to partial shade and in a variety of soil types, including clay. In hotter parts of the Inland Empire it does best with protection from hot summertime afternoon sun. It grows well with many plants on the Western Sycamore Palette.

Plant Type: Shrub, Native
Foliage Character: Winter deciduous
Habit: Open, Multi-trunk, Low-branching
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Medium green
Flower Color: Magenta
Flower Season: Winter, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Silt, Loam, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Moderate shade, All day sun, Partial sun
Function: Wildlife value, Attracts butterflies, Specimen, Slopes, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Flowering accent plant, Banks
Height: 10 ft. – 15 ft.
Width: 10 ft. – 20 ft.

Set your preferred view

Choose between a list or map view of all signs found in our waterwise garden and park.

Welcome to the Waterwise Garden Digital Tour

This is a digital registry created to offer further information on the physical signs in our waterwise garden and park premises.

Would you like a few tips on how to use this tool?

Move around

Travel to different sections of our garden and park premises by using the horizontal scrollbar at the top.

Locate your sign​

Using the map view, you can preview what each specific sign is about by tapping on the plus icon.

Refer back to these tips

You can view these tips at any time by tapping the Help link in the top left.