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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

The Oklahoma Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis ‘Oklahoma’) is a compact, ornamental tree prized for its deep magenta spring blooms and glossy, heart-shaped leaves.

Native to Texas and Oklahoma, it thrives in hot, dry climates and is especially well-suited to Central and North Texas landscapes. Its tolerance for drought and poor soils, combined with its stunning early-season color, has made it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers in the southern U.S.

While it hasn’t received a major national award like the Texas Superstar designation, it’s widely recognized by horticulturists as one of the best-performing redbuds for Texas and Oklahoma gardens due to its durability and intense color.

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

The Oklahoma Redbud is considered a moderately fast-growing tree, typically adding about 1 to 2 feet of growth per year under good conditions. It usually reaches a mature height of 15 to 20 feet, with a similar spread, forming a rounded, ornamental canopy ideal for small landscapes.

In terms of lifespan, Oklahoma Redbuds generally live 20 to 30 years, though some can live longer with proper care and protection from disease or stress. Their longevity is often influenced by soil drainage, pruning practices, and regional climate. Unlike some faster-growing trees that are short-lived, Oklahoma Redbuds offer a good balance of moderate growth and reliable lifespan — especially in Texas and Oklahoma, where they’re well-adapted.

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 Redbud Tree for Texas

Ruby Falls Weeping flowering redbud tree for Texas

The ‘Ruby Falls’ Weeping Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’) is a striking, compact ornamental tree known for its cascading branches, rich purple foliage, and vibrant lavender-pink spring blooms. A hybrid of ‘Covey’ (a weeping form) and ‘Forest Pansy’ (noted for its colorful leaves), Ruby Falls combines graceful architecture with bold color, making it a standout focal point in small gardens or landscape borders.

It typically reaches 6 to 8 feet in height and 5 to 7 feet wide, making it ideal for patios or tight spaces. In spring, its bare weeping branches are covered in clusters of pea-like flowers before the leaves emerge, and by summer, its heart-shaped, burgundy-purple foliage deepens in color, adding rich contrast to green landscapes.

Hardy in USDA zones 5–9, Ruby Falls prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. It’s prized not only for its beauty but also for being low-maintenance and adaptable, making it a favorite among gardeners and landscape designers alike.

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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, 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-zagging 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

The ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’) is a beloved ornamental tree known for its striking purple foliage, which emerges in early spring alongside its vivid magenta-pink blooms. It typically grows to 20–25 feet tall and wide, forming a graceful, rounded canopy. What makes ‘Forest Pansy’ unique among redbuds is its deep burgundy, heart-shaped leaves, which fade to a mix of green, gold, or bronze by late summer.

It performs well in USDA hardiness zones 5–9, making it a strong choice for southern gardens, including Texas, provided it’s planted in well-drained soil and given protection from extreme afternoon heat.

In terms of lifespan, ‘Forest Pansy’ generally lives 15 to 25 years, though its longevity can be reduced in areas with poor drainage or high humidity.

While it hasn’t received a national award like the Texas Superstar, it is considered one of the most aesthetically valued redbud cultivars and is widely used by landscape architects for its dramatic spring and summer color. Gardeners appreciate it for its multi-season interest, from vibrant spring flowers and colorful foliage to its sculptural winter form.

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!

Standard Redbud

While you may not purchase a standard redbud tree you may have inherited one. It helps to understand their lifespan and care requirements.

The standard Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beloved native deciduous tree known for its vibrant rose-pink to magenta spring blossoms, which emerge along bare branches before the foliage appears. Native to a wide region of eastern and central North America, including Texas, it thrives in USDA zones 4–9 and is highly adaptable to a variety of soils, provided they are well-drained. Redbuds typically reach 20–30 feet in height with a similar spread, forming a rounded canopy that offers seasonal interest — from its early spring flowers to its heart-shaped green leaves, which turn golden yellow in fall.

The standard redbud is considered moderately fast-growing and can live 20 to 30 years, sometimes longer with proper care. It is also widely praised for its ecological value, providing nectar for pollinators and serving as a host plant for several butterfly species.

While the species has not received a specific Texas Superstar or national garden award, it is regularly featured on recommended native plant lists by Texas A&M AgriLife, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and many master gardener programs. Because of its beauty, resilience, and native status, the standard Eastern Redbud is a landscape staple in residential and public plantings throughout much of the U.S., including both Central and North Texas, where it’s well-suited to the region’s variable climate.

1. Are redbuds native to Texas?

Yes, Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) and Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) are both native to Texas. The Texas Redbud, in particular, is more adapted to the hotter, drier regions of Central and West Texas, while Eastern Redbuds naturally occur more in East and North Texas, where moisture levels are higher.

2. How well do redbuds grow in North Texas?

Redbuds do very well in North Texas, where the soil tends to be clay-heavy but still suitable if well-drained. The climate in North Texas provides cooler winters and milder summers compared to the south, which suits both Eastern and Texas Redbuds. They thrive in morning sun and partial afternoon shade, especially during the hottest months.

3. What challenges do redbuds face in South or West Texas?

In South and arid West Texas, redbuds may struggle with intense heat, poor soil drainage, and prolonged drought. The Texas Redbud is a better fit in these areas than the Eastern variety, as it has thicker, glossier leaves, better drought tolerance, and improved heat resistance. Even so, supplemental watering and some afternoon shade are often needed for healthy growth.

4. How long do redbuds live in Texas climates?

Redbuds typically live 20 to 30 years in Texas, though extreme drought, poor drainage, or high humidity can shorten their lifespan. Proper planting in well-drained soil, mulching, and avoiding overwatering can help extend their life, especially in hotter or more humid parts of the state.

5. Are redbuds good landscape trees for urban or residential settings in Texas?

Absolutely. Redbuds are small, ornamental trees that work beautifully in residential landscapes. Their compact size (15–30 feet), spectacular spring blooms, and native status make them ideal for urban gardens, parks, and suburban lots. For North and Central Texas, both Eastern and Texas Redbuds are excellent choices. In more arid or south-facing exposures, opt for Texas Redbud or more drought-tolerant cultivars like ‘Traveler’ or ‘Oklahoma’.

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