Western Redbud

Cercis occidentalis

treeView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

well-drained

Size

10–20ft tall, 10–20ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May · magenta, pink

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

California foothills, inner Coast Ranges, Sierra foothills

Brilliant magenta flowers cover bare branches before leaves emerge

Multi-trunked small tree; outstanding ornamental; fall color yellow to red

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Western Redbud in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil - it's adaptable to most soil types, even sodic soil, so you have flexibility here. The ideal planting time is fall or early spring to establish roots before summer heat. Space it where it has room to reach 10–20 feet tall. In the Bay Area, you're in ideal territory: Western Redbud thrives in northern California's four-season climate and cold winters.

After Planting

Water weekly for the first summer to establish the plant, then taper off - once established, it needs only very low to moderate water and rarely needs more than once-weekly irrigation even in summer. Watch for the showy magenta flowers in spring (March–May), which should arrive without fussing. The biggest mistake is overwatering: Western Redbud is tough and drought-tolerant once established, so resist the urge to baby it. In winter, the plant goes dormant and loses its leaves - this is normal and healthy.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Moss's elfinCallophrys mossii windi

Threatened subspecies; critical habitat designated

Federal: Threatened, CA: Threatened

Monarch butterflyDanaus plexippus

California Species of Special Concern; monarch populations declining

CA Special Concern

Wildlife Supported