Cercis occidentalis aka California Redbud

Cercis occidentalis has two common names: western redbud and California redbud. It belongs to the bean family, Fabaceae. This deciduous shrub sheds its leaves and can form a small tree. Kew gives its native range as southwestern Oregon into California. Other sources also list Arizona, Utah, and southern Nevada. It grows on dry foothill slopes and in canyons. The sources differ on where its native range ends.

Plants reach about 13–16 feet [4–5 metres] tall. PFAF gives a spread of 13 feet [4 metres]. Plants grow at a medium rate, often with several stems. The crown has a round shape. Thin, angled twigs have smooth brown bark with pale lenticels. These are small pores in the bark. Leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. Each simple leaf is almost round or kidney-shaped. Several veins fan out from its heart-shaped base. Leaves are dark green above and paler beneath. Their tips may be round or have a shallow notch.

Pink-purple flowers shaped like pea blooms open before the leaves. Oregon State gives a bloom time of February through April. PFAF gives April to May, so the accounts differ. Flat, narrow pods follow the flowers and ripen in late summer. They range in color from brown to purple. Some brown pods stay on the branches through winter. Bees pollinate the flowers and feed on their early nectar. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds and pods. Branches give birds cover and places to nest.

Grow western redbud in sun or partial shade. Full sun gives the best show of flowers. Partial shade suits gardens in hotter inland areas. It grows in sand, loam, gravel, and clay-rich soil. All these soils must drain well. It also copes with both acid and alkaline soil. Avoid wet ground, above all clay that drains poorly. Once plants take root, they cope with drought. They suit banks that get little added water. Deep watering now and then can improve flowers and pods. PFAF lists USDA zones 6–9. Oregon State confirms hardiness in zone 6.

Western redbud suits native gardens or use as a specimen plant. You can eat its flowers, flower buds, and young pods. Its roasted seeds are edible too. Flowers have a mild, sweet taste. Older pods grow too tough to eat. PFAF reports no major toxicity concerns for these edible parts. Pods and seeds with tough fibres may upset the gut. Keep portions small for this reason. PFAF lists no known medicinal use and no weed potential.