Also known as Cercis orbiculata
West coast native. Heart shaped leaves turn jewel tones in autumn. Pink flowers bloom on bare branches in spring and are great for pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies and many native bees. Leaf cutter bees like the foliage to line their baby bee nests. The flower buds are edible and taste like green beans. Nitrogen fixer.
Traditional uses of this little tree by indigenous people in California are as a basket material, and is sometimes coppiced or pruned to produce long, flexible branches for weaving.
Fact sheet from NRCS here with propagation information.
Seed is adapted to withstand dry conditions while waiting for favorable growth conditions, so some steps need to be taken to prompt germination. One method that has been reported to be successful is to pour boiling water over seeds, let soak for several days, sow in well-draining, moist but not saturated media in a cool place (outdoors with occasional freezes is okay) for 2 to 3 months, and then gradually warm up. Germination will occur in a week or two and could continue for many weeks.
Grows 10-18' tall and as wide. Sun to light shade. Average to well drained soil, very drought tolerant once established.
Seed packet – approx. 40 seeds
Also known as Cercis orbiculata
West coast native. Heart shaped leaves turn jewel tones in autumn. Pink flowers bloom on bare branches in spring and are great for pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies and many native bees. Leaf cutter bees like the foliage to line their baby bee nests. The flower buds are edible and taste like green beans. Nitrogen fixer.
Traditional uses of this little tree by indigenous people in California are as a basket material, and is sometimes coppiced or pruned to produce long, flexible branches for weaving.
Fact sheet from NRCS here with propagation information.
Seed is adapted to withstand dry conditions while waiting for favorable growth conditions, so some steps need to be taken to prompt germination. One method that has been reported to be successful is to pour boiling water over seeds, let soak for several days, sow in well-draining, moist but not saturated media in a cool place (outdoors with occasional freezes is okay) for 2 to 3 months, and then gradually warm up. Germination will occur in a week or two and could continue for many weeks.
Grows 10-18' tall and as wide. Sun to light shade. Average to well drained soil, very drought tolerant once established.
Seed packet – approx. 40 seeds
