How to Grow Cercis - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Cercis is a genus of about 10–20 species in the subfamily cercidoideae of the pea family fabaceae, native to warm temperate regions throughout the world. the name is derived from the greek word ?????? (kerkis), meaning "weaver's shuttle".

How to Grow Cercis - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Redbud
  • Judas Tree
  • Spreading Dogwood
  • Eastern Redbud
  • Western Redbud

Basic info

  • Cercis is a genus of about 10 species in the family Fabaceae, native to warm temperate regions throughout the world.
  • The species are small to medium-sized deciduous trees or shrubs, with rounded to heart-shaped leaves.
  • The flowers are usually pink or purple, and borne in clusters.
  • Cercis is thought to be derived from the Greek word kerkis, meaning ‘weaver’s shuttle’, referring to the shape of the fruit.
  • The wood of cercis is hard and dense, making it suitable for a variety of uses including furniture and flooring.
  • Cercis species are often used as ornamental plants, due to their attractive flowers and foliage.
  • Some species are also used in traditional medicine.
  • Cercis can be propagated from seed, cuttings or grafting.
  • The trees are generally low-maintenance and pest-resistant.
  • Cercis is the national tree of Ukraine.

Related plant:
Cercis Siliquastrum

Planting Process

  1. For cercis, first step is to plant the tree.
  2. Wait for the tree to grow and the flowers to appear.
  3. Once the flowers appear, fertilize the tree.
  4. Water the tree regularly.
  5. Prune the tree as needed.
  6. Enjoy the beautiful flowers!

Related plant:
Cercis Chinensis

Soil Condition

About soil condition, cercis needs deep, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils. Full sun is the best location for cercis. It can tolerate partial shade, but will likely have fewer flowers and a more open habit. It is not tolerant of wet or poorly drained soils.

Light requirement

Like the other trees, the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) needs sun to grow and thrive. This deciduous tree prefers full sun to partial shade and will do best in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. While the eastern redbud can tolerate some shade, too much shade will result in a tree that is leggy and has fewer flowers.

The Temperature

The temperature condition of the cercis tree is quite important. If the tree is too cold, the leaves will suffer and may even die. Conversely, if the tree is too warm, the leaves will also suffer. The ideal temperature condition for the cercis tree is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40-60%. The plant can tolerate a range of humidity levels, but too much or too little humidity can cause problems. If the air is too dry, the leaves will begin to drop and the plant will go into dormancy. If the air is too humid, the leaves will begin to yellow and drop. The plant will also become more susceptible to fungal diseases.

The Fertilizer

For the fertilizer, this plant does best with something that is high in phosphorus. This will help the plant to develop strong roots. The roots of this plant are very important, as they are what help to anchor it in the ground. Without strong roots, the plant will be more likely to topple over in high winds.

About light

Pruning is important for the health and vigor of a Cercis tree. It helps to remove diseased, dying, or dead wood, and to thin out the canopy to allow light and air to reach the inner branches. It also helps to control the size and shape of the tree.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a variety of sources, including seeds, cuttings, and division. Propagation is a very important part of plant care, as it allows gardeners to easily and cheaply create new plants. There are a few different ways to propagate plants. One way is to take cuttings, which are pieces of stem or leaves that are cut from the parent plant and then planted in soil or water. Another way to propagate plants is by division, which is when the plant is physically divided into two or more pieces, each of which can then be planted separately. Seeds are another common way to propagate plants. To do this, the seeds must first be collected from the parent plant. Once collected, the seeds can be planted in soil or water, and will eventually germinate and grow into new plants. No matter which method you choose, propagation is a great way to create new plants for your garden.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the cultivar. The average growth rate for the species is between 13 and 24 inches (33-61 cm) per year. However, some cultivars can grow as much as 36 inches (91 cm) per year.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are usually related to watering. If the plant is not watered regularly, it will start to wilt and the leaves will turn yellow. The plant can also be susceptible to root rot if the roots are constantly wet. If the plant is in a pot, make sure that the drainage holes are clear and that the pot has a saucer under it to catch any water that drips out.

Tips on Growing

  • If you are growing cercis in a pot, make sure it has drainage holes.
  • Water cercis regularly, especially when the plant is young. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.
  • Apply a fertilizer designed for flowering plants to cercis once a month during the growing season.
  • Place cercis in an area that receives full sun.
  • Prune cercis in late winter or early spring to shape the plant and encourage new growth.
  • Deadhead cercis flowers as they fade to keep the plant looking tidy and to encourage more blooms.
  • Once cercis is established, it is relatively drought tolerant. However, during extended periods of dry weather, additional watering may be necessary.
  • In zones 8 and 9, cercis may be evergreen. In colder climates, it will lose its leaves in winter.
  • Cercis is not typically bothered by pests or

Related Plants

  • The quince tree; quince
  • Dodder, a cuscutaceous plant, with orange-colored thread-like stem
  • dogwood; dogwood tree; cornel; cornel tree
  • The flowering trees, shrubs and vines of the genus Lonicera, having capsular fruits
  • Hazel; hazelnut; filbert; cobnut
  • A garden flower of the genus Heliotropium, with showy white, purple or blue flowers
  • The madrono; any species of the genus Arbutus, which have reddish wood and shining evergreen leaves
  • Any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Pistacia, which have leaves that are compound and fruits that are drupes
  • A tree of the genus Salix, having narrow, willowy leaves and long, slender catkins
  • The apple tree; apple

Source:
Cercis: The Redbuds - Harvard University
Edu Cercis - facebook.com
Species: Cercis canadensis - Cornell University

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category