This is our Redbud tree.  Breathtaking!!!!!  

 

Botanically, Cercis canadensis, the Eastern Redbud is native to Eastern North America, and grows from Canada to North Florida, and as far west as Texas.  Redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma.  It grows wild in our North Carolina woods, and is easy to spot at 55 mph, especially when it's blooming.  We've seen lots of them along the highways on our way to Virginia and back.  

 

Redbud is a smallish tree, growing to about 25-30 feet.  It usually grows as an understory tree, since it likes part sun, part shade.  It blooms in early spring, before the leaves emerge, with bright reddish-purple pea like flowers.  The flowers are clustered along the twigs and branches, and sometimes along the trunk.  

 

Besides her beautiful color, my favorite part about Redbuds is that the flowers are edible.  We look forward to putting these beautiful flowers in our spring salads.  They have a sweet tart flavor, and look so pretty!!!

 

I love it when our Redbud blooms!!!  Look for them this spring!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!