Chinese Redbud

Chinese Redbud (Cercis chinensis) is a small multi stemmed deciduous tree that flowers straight out of its own bark. It grows to about 3.5m tall and 3m wide, and in early spring rosy pink pea flowers cluster along the bare branches and even the trunk, before the heart shaped leaves appear. Those leaves turn butter yellow in autumn, so one tree carries two separate seasons.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers on bare wood. Clusters of rosy pink and purple pea flowers open directly on the branches and trunk in early spring, an effect nothing else in a small garden quite matches.
• Two seasons from one tree. Spring flower, then rounded heart shaped foliage that turns clear butter yellow before it drops.
• Small garden scale. At roughly 3.5m by 3m it fits a courtyard, a front bed or a narrow side garden without ever becoming a problem.
• Early nectar for bees. Non-invasive roots let it sit near paving, and the flowers open before most of the garden wakes up, which makes them valuable to bees at a thin time of year.

Where it works best

As a feature in a small garden. Give it 3m of clear width and a spot where the bare winter framework is visible from a window. The multi stemmed habit is part of the appeal, so resist training it to a single trunk.

Driveways and entries. Plant 4m apart for a run of small trees that stays in scale beside a narrow drive.

Pots and courtyards. A pot 500mm or wider holds it for years at around 2.5m, though the mix must drain freely.

Growing Chinese Redbud in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light afternoon shade. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, so Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney all work well. Winter chill sets the flower buds, and gardens with cold winters get the heaviest display. In subtropical and tropical gardens the flowering is unreliable, so this is not the tree for the Queensland coast.

Soil. Well drained, moderately fertile ground with compost through the backfill. It dislikes wet feet more than almost anything else, so on clay plant on a raised mound.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then weekly in hot weather. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough, and avoid high nitrogen feeds that push leaf at the expense of flower.

Pruning. Minimal, and only in the weeks straight after flowering. Redbuds flower on older wood, so heavy winter pruning removes the next season's display.

What to expect when it arrives

We currently list this tree in one size, a 400mm pot. That is an established young tree with several stems already formed and enough height to read as a small tree from day one, rather than the whip you would get from a tube.

Because it is deciduous, a tree sent between late autumn and early spring arrives bare stemmed, which looks alarming and is completely normal. The buds break as soon as the soil warms. Expect roughly 20cm to 30cm of growth a year. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare other plants for small gardens
• Browse plants with autumn colour
• Small courtyard garden ideas
• See other deciduous trees

Common questions

How big will it actually get?

About 3.5m tall and 3m wide in a garden, and it takes many years to get there. It is naturally slow, which is why it suits courtyards and small front gardens.

Will it flower in a warm climate?

In warm temperate gardens such as Sydney and Perth, yes, though the display is lighter than in Melbourne or Canberra. Winter chill drives the bud set, so subtropical and tropical gardens are not suitable.

Why has my redbud not flowered?

The usual causes are too much shade, a warm winter with insufficient chill, or pruning at the wrong time. Redbuds flower on wood at least a year old, so prune only just after the flowers finish.