Redbuds and Oklahoma Red Bud – Plant Now!

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Oklahoma Redbud

Oklahoma Redbud Tree

Oklahoma Redbud tree with Forsythia Mid-March Texas

Forsythia and Oklahoma Redbud make a good combination as to Japonica and Redbud blooming in mid-March in Dallas area.

Oklahoma Redbud

Deep Water Watering for Trees

It take two to three years to establish a small tree in Texas where we are in drought conditions every year from July to October. I use deep watering stakes and fertilizer spikes.

Additional water first two years: If you decide to plant this tree in full sun, be sure to provide additional hand watering for the first two years June through September. Do not rely on your sprinkler system. I do not find that watering stakes work. They do deliver additional water to a small are BUT most roots are at the surface and 360 degrees. Either hand water July through late September or use a soaking hose. Give your tree a good chance at a long life!

Oklahoma Redbud

Same tree, two years earlier. You can see the growth.

Oklahoma Redbud

Best Perennial for Redbud Tree

Thrift or Phlox with Japanese Maple in background

Thrift or Phlox with blooms in March in Texas with the Redbud Tree.

Great Tree – Short Lifespan

The Oklahoma Redbud tree, Cercis reniformis was discovered growing wild in the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma in 1964. It typically grows to 12-18′ tall. The heart-shaped leaves open soft pink but gradually mature to a glossy rich green.

Oklahoma redbud trees have fall color that is variable, but often includes attractive shades of reddish-purple and orange.

Feeding and Fertilizing your Flowering Tree

Establishing your young trees means keeping them moist and well feed. Time released spikes are perfect for this chore.

Ruby Falls, Weeping Redbud Tree

Ruby Falls Weeping flowering redbud tree for Texas

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Weeping Redbud

Lifespan: 25 years. If you are planting for a long term investment in your home you may want to consider a longer lived tree. Like the Bradford Pear, the redbud has a limited life span. They become older, weaker and the boreres move in. Oklahoma Redbud appears to have a longer lifespan than the traditional redbud trees. Certainly, if you have a mature Redbud spray for borers. Once they move in, it’s too late!

Consider a longer lived tree. Japanese Maples live 100 years or more. Little Gem Magnolias (related to the Southern Magnolia) also live hundreds of years.

Ruby Falls Redbud

Ruby Falls, an F2 hybrid, inherited its weeping form from one parent plant: the weeping green ‘Covey’ redbud (aka Lavender Twist™), and its dark ruby-purple leaf color from another parent: ‘Forest Pansy’ redbud.

In combination these traits set Ruby Falls apart as a new specimen form.The zig-zaging branches form a cascading crown. The weeping tree reaches a moderate height of 4-6 feet and a spread 6-8 feet.

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Forest Pansy Redbud

Forest Pansy Redbud Tree

Standard Redbud Tree

Here is the standard Redbud tree. Its colors are not as intense, the bark is not as deeply colored in a rose hue, and the blooms are not as dense. Still, it is a lovely, lovely understudy tree with beautiful foliage to follow the blooms and lovely fall color.

The Texas Flowering Trees have expanded in scope and quality. Now is the time to plant! There is absolutely no reason to plant the ‘original’ Red Bud, with the Oklahoma Red Bud out there! The color is the bud is deeper, the tree is sturdier, the leaves are deeper and glossier. This tree blooms before the dogwood, so if you are searching to extend your spring tree flowering impact, plant BOTH!