What a beautiful time of year to be in our area! Mid spring is upon us and one can definitely tell as signs of spring’s beauty can be seen at every turn. Currently all of the mid spring flowering trees are in full flower even the well known Lilac is blooming and while these and other trees like Crabapples add something special to the landscape, there is a native tree that doesn’t always get enough attention and that is the Redbud tree ( Cercis canadensis ). Redbuds are a native tree to Iowa from about Highway 30 southward although a recent cultivar called Minnesota Strain was developed to be hardy in Minnesota that can be planted throughout the rest of Iowa but pay attention if considering planting one of these trees as you will soon read on below.
Today I got to see this tree in it’s native setting as I went to Red Haw State Park in Chariton which is known for its Redbuds for the first time to see the blooming trees around the park and what beautiful sight it was to see! I got to see these beautiful trees as they laced the lower forest canopy in shades of pinkish purple! I definitely recommend visiting this park if you like natural beauty.
I noticed some of Redbud trees there have darker flowers then others. Some have a more pale pink flower( like the one above ) While others have a dark, almost luminescent purple like the one in the cover photo of this post. This is because Redbuds can have slight genetic variations that cause some to be more unique then others which I think makes them even more special since every tree can have a slightly different shade of blooms!
In their natural habitat you find Redbuds as an under story tree in river valleys near water. They come in many different forms some being single or some having multiple trunks that usually branch pretty close to the ground and most have low branches. Redbuds make a very nice ornamental tree that is also tolerant of sun and because of this you can now find them in city parks, along streets and front yards.
If you are thinking about planting a Redbud there are a few things you will want to consider. Digging them out of the woods or moving one yourself is not recommended since they do not tolerate being moved. They seem to be more tolerant when transplanted from containers instead. The other important factor is you MUST pay close attention where your purchased tree was grown. It is the same genetic variation that effects the flower color that makes it a good idea to avoid Redbuds that were grown south of your location as they are very climate sensitive trees and will not preform well if you don’t you get from a tree source that is adapted to your local climate. For example planting a Redbud in Mason City even grown as close as Des Moines may not flower as well in the north because flower buds are less hardy then leaf buds and it will not be adapted to the length of the winters in Mason City. The best chance of locally hardy trees will be from local garden centers. If you’re in Northern Iowa look for for the cultivar ‘Minnesota Strain’ as this type can be planted anywhere in Iowa because it was developed and grown around Minneapolis, MN area but even this cultivar may not flower in very severe winters of North Iowa that are seen every now and again but even with this, this cultivar will grow very well for you.
Spring bulbs are still on center stage as far as blooming goes but many are starting to wane. This Pink Charm Daffodil which bloomed last week is the last of the Daffodils in flowering in my yard. Tulips are still in full bloom across the area and are quite stunning in areas where many Tulips are planted but these too are heading towards their end for blooming.
Crab apples are in their full glory right now across southern and central Iowa and because they are planted in abundance in cities, towns and homes across the countryside they are adding that blast of beauty across the area. Crab apples can be found blooming right now in this pink like above and in white and they smell wonderful! The other thing I really noticed this week is that all the trees are leafing out, including late ones. Every tree species has at least some size of leaves but most have a long ways to go before they are at full size. The two Maples in my yard are wasting no time putting on leaves and are starting to shade the yard. Make sure you get out this weekend to enjoy the season in our area because we all know it doesn’t last long around these parts!