A Brilliant Harbinger of Spring

Most gardeners are chomping at the bit this time of year, pent up with cabin fever. Eager to get their hands in the dirt and create new garden experiences there is one tree, this time of year, that is so shocking in its appearance, that it seems to stop everyone dead in their tracks when they see it in bloom. One of the first deciduous trees to welcome spring may be modest in stature, but its presence is bold, especially when clothed with flowers. Of course I’m talking about Redbuds!

Over the years I have grown to love the genus Cercis and most of its members. A highly adaptive tree with respect to soil types, Redbuds perform well in full sun to part shade, but need a little help from its caretaker concerning water. Redbuds don’t like wet feet nor do they enjoy being deprived of water. Well-drained soil truly is the goal. Native to New Jersey, Redbud’s appearance is typically spreading with a flat top to a rounded crown peaking to equal heights and widths of about 20-30 feet. On older specimens a crackling orange hue bleeds into the blacks and browns of the outer bark. More interesting still are the 3” pods (legumes) that form in the fall, starting out reddish-green and finishing brownish-black. Make no mistake though, clearly most people are after the shocking flowers that start out as colorful nubs, born directly on the stems, and finish like streamers hanging within the tree.

There are so many noteworthy choices, of the native type, to choose from and equally as many from the ones native to China. So let’s get to it! A very handsome and extremely popular one to start is ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’). The heart-shaped leaves emerge red-purple and when the heat index rises these colorful markings tone themselves down to an eventual red tinge with prominent dark-green markings. The flowers of ‘Forest Pansy’ are a better rose-purple than the species and open a bit later too. ‘Covey’ is a weeping form with an eventual umbrella-shaped crown. Ideal as a specimen, particularly around a water feature, ‘Covey’s’ flowers and fruit are quite similar to the species and the eventual height of this garden gem is only 5-8 feet. Clearly there would be room for one in any garden. ‘Ruby Falls’ is the hot, new weeper that again, is small in stature. A selection from the breeding work of Dr. Dennis Werner, NCSU, and the parentage is ‘Covey’ and ‘Forest Pansy’. As things suggest we now have a weeping form with red-purple foliage and rose-purple blooms to be excited about. ‘Hearts of Gold’ has huge, gorgeous, golden heart-shaped leaves and that alone is enough for me. The fact that it too has lavender-red flowers and that the new tips, in the spring, take on an orange-red hue are simply a bonus. This is a new and rare tree so be patient in your search. ‘Little Woody’, as the name suggests, is a tiny wonder for any garden. A heavy bloomer with mauve clusters of flowers also has lustrous, dark green, crinkled foliage. Finally, for the native Cercis, is ‘Pauline Lily’. Found in the mountains of West Virginia and named for the wife of its discoverer, ‘Pauline Lily’ has blush colored flowers, almost white, and is a heavy bloomer with typical heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall.

There are two Redbuds native to China that I adore. The first is Cercis yunnanensis ‘Celestial Plum’. Introduced by J.C. Raulston Arboretum (like many other outstanding plants) ‘Celestial Plum’ has deep plum-purple flowers. Forming a small, multi-stem tree, Michael Dirr points out that it is “quite resistant to canker”. My friend and colleague Eileen Ferrer introduced my other Chinese favorite to me years ago. Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ is, in my mind, the showiest of all the redbuds. A selection from Duncan and Davies in New Zealand, ‘Avondale’ has brilliant deep purple flowers along its branches and main trunk! Eileen’s was a multi-stemmed tree, branched very low to the ground and gave an impressive vase-shaped appearance. So stunning, it continues to stop traffic every time one sees it.

Small in stature, redbuds offer big rewards in almost any garden. Perhaps one of the greatest quotes said about these harbingers of spring and a feeling one gets once they see the flowers emerge is by Michael Dirr, “In my heart, I know that spring is close and the joy and excitement of a new gardening season looms on the horizon”.

Spring Fever

Living in New Jersey we are privileged to experience the changing of seasons. We can experience them in their entirety, both the good and the bad. Winter can dish out some knockout storms, but it also sets a backdrop for some outstanding color. The redtwig dogwoods and the cinnamon-brown bark of Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) really shine against a white backdrop. And while the palate of color offered to gardeners in the winter is plentiful it is those little nubs that sit patiently through winter, unfolding themselves as spring approaches, that lets us know a new season is upon us. We are welcomed each spring with an explosion of color that raises our spirits and wets our appetites to get back into or gardens.

One of the first deciduous trees to welcome us to spring is the Chinese Redbud (Cercis chinensis). This modest sized tree with erect branching is literally covered with rose-purple colored flowers in late March and April. The flowers are born directly on the bark, starting as little colored nubs and finishing like a red streamer. Indigenous to central China, this small tree can fit into any landscape comfortably. With a height and width of only 10 to 15 feet, it is a small wonder signaling things to come. Following it’s profusion of color are its heart-shaped, glossy green leaves. Try searching out the cultivar ‘Avondale’ and you won’t believe your eyes. This species is best planted in full sun and while it enjoys well drained soil, it is highly adaptive.

Another exciting deciduous plant with extending characteristics is Fothergilla. This eye-opener offers three seasons of interest. First to show are its fragrant, white flowers which almost always appear before its foliage. Looking like tiny bottle-brushes, these flowers persist for about two weeks. Attractive, dark green, somewhat leathery foliage in the summer is offered, however, some varieties like ‘Blue Mist’ can have more of a blue hue. Finally, in the fall, Fothergilla can serve up extremes in color from brilliant yellows to oranges and scarlets, often on the same leaves. Heights can vary from 2-3 feet on gardenia (dwarf Fothergilla) to 6-10 feet on major (large Fothergilla). Whatever your appetite and garden footprint is you’re sure to find a cultivar that will fit nicely into your garden space, offering up seasonal interest. Fothergilla looks fantastic tucked in with such evergreens as rhododendron and laurels, offering a different texture to the landscape. Whenever possible look for a site that has part to full sun for its best color markings.

A lesser known plant material that acts as a building block for larger plants to sit behind is Sarcococca (Himalayan Sweetbox). An evergreen groundcover, Sweetbox has its name from tiny, white, fragrant, flowers that usually appear each March and April under its foliage. Native to Afghanistan and the Himalayas, Sarcococca has narrow, stylish, dark green foliage. It pairs itself nicely when mass planted amongst smaller deciduous plant materials. A great groundcover that can stay in bounds without fear of running rampant, the variety humilis seems to be the best for northern gardens. Size can vary from 1-2 feet to 4-6 feet. Try to place this plant in partial to shady areas or under larger specimens to block out some sun.

Now that winter seems to be behind us, it’s nice to know that the offerings of spring are on their way. With such diversity in foliage, flower color, fruit set and bark appeal, New Jersey has many plants that will thrive in our climate. Decisions for your garden should not be made capriciously, however many are reversible. As you travel through your local garden centers, arboretums and backyard gardens this spring…take notes and plan well. Remember spring is on its way and the best is yet to come.