Cercis siliquastrum
judas-tree
Eastern Mediterranean and western Asia
Overview
Cercis siliquastrum is a small deciduous tree or large shrub reaching 15-30 feet (4.5-9 m) tall and nearly as wide, with a rounded, often multi-stemmed crown. In early to mid spring, before the leaves open, clusters of bright rose-pink pea-like flowers emerge directly from the bare branches, older wood, and even the trunk, a habit known as cauliflory. Each flower is about 0.8 inch (2 cm) long. The rounded to heart-shaped leaves follow, 3-5 inches (7.5-12 cm) wide, blue-green in summer and turning yellow in autumn. Flattened seed pods 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long ripen reddish-purple and hang on the tree into winter. The tree grows slowly to moderately and develops a broad, spreading branch structure with age. It tolerates heat, drought, and poor soils once established but does not tolerate root disturbance or transplanting once older, and is slow to recover from hard pruning. In cold-winter regions late frosts can damage the early flowers. The species is hardy to about USDA zone 6 and is grown for its spring bloom and rounded foliage.
Native Range
Cercis siliquastrum is native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia, from southern Europe through Turkey to the Middle East. It grows on rocky hillsides, scrub, and woodland margins in regions with hot, dry summers and mild winters.Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen or small feature tree in lawns, courtyards, and Mediterranean-style gardens for its spring flowers on bare wood. It suits hot, dry sites and gravel gardens. The flowers and young pods are sometimes used in salads.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 30'
Width/Spread15' - 30'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in early to mid spring, usually April, before or as the leaves unfold, with rose-pink flowers clustered on bare wood. The flowers are pollinated by bees and are edible in salads. Flat seed pods follow, ripening from green to reddish-purple by late summer and persisting into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Blue-green, yellow in autumnGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in light, well-drained soil and tolerates chalk, sand, and dry rocky ground once established. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, but late spring frosts can damage the early flowers at the cold edge of its range. The tree withstands heat and drought but does not move well, so it is set in its final position while young. It needs little feeding and grows steadily without rich soil. Coral spot and verticillium wilt are the main disease problems, and waterlogged ground leads to root rot.Pruning
Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late summer. The tree recovers slowly from hard cuts, so major reshaping is avoided. Any necessary shaping is done while the tree is young.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons