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The vibrant magenta flowers of redbud trees found around Central Texas are one of the earliest welcoming signs that spring is here.
Julie Rydell, host of the Taylor-based “Plow & Hose Organic Gardening in Central Texas” podcast believes that redbuds are a great option for local gardeners to add some color to their landscape and attract newly migrating hummingbirds.
Redbud trees are popular ornamental landscape trees known for their beautiful fuchsia- hued flowers and the large, heart-shaped leaves that are left after the flowers fade. Redbuds are smaller trees that thrive in little spaces, considered “understory” trees because they will continue to grow beneath larger plants. They tolerate some shade and reach as high as 40 feet, according to Rydell.
There are 15 different types of redbud trees, but interested lawn workers will find the most success with either Mexican, Eastern or Texas redbuds, native to the region and more apt for the soil and climate, added Rydell.
Eastern redbud leaves are large, thin and flat, more matte in sheen compared to the glossy, slightly curled leaves of Texas and Mexican redbuds. They tend to be more susceptible to drought stress and sun scald in hot summers and benefit from afternoon shade.
Texas and Mexican redbuds are recommended for the area because they can tolerate the intense Texas summers and periods of extended drought. They don’t mind alkaline soil either, which makes them great little trees for Blackland Prairie soil, according to the local gardener.
When planting anything directly into heavy clay soil, like Bastrop County’s, Rydell recommends adding some compost in the planting hole. The compost will absorb extra water to help with drainage and will give the plants some bonus nutrients as it breaks down.
Since Redbuds bloom in the very early spring, they are an important source of nectar for bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. Hummingbirds spend the winter in Mexico and Central America, and when the weather starts to warm up and daylight increases, black chinned hummingbirds will start to migrate back to Central Texas.
The trees turn golden yellow in the fall, but for gardeners that enjoy burgundy leaves, Eastern Redbuds come in a few varieties that have dark purple foliage. Look for varieties such as “Forest Pansy” and “Merlot” to add dark foliage to a yard.
Redbuds are members of the legume family and are botanically related to beans, peas, bluebonnets, Pride of Barbados and mimosa trees. Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants, they take the gas from the air and change it into a form that they can use for food. Nitrogen is a key plant nutrient that is responsible for keeping leaves healthy and green, according to Rydell.
