Cercis canadensis 'Covey' LAVENDER TWIST weeping redbud
Cercis
The genus Cercis, commonly known as redbud, includes around ten species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere – from North America through Southern Europe to Eastern Asia. All species share several distinctive traits: heart-shaped leaves reminiscent of the iconic symbol of love, and early spring flowering, when small blossoms appear directly on bare wood – on branches and trunks, before the leaves emerge. The flowers have the typical shape of legumes, as redbuds belong to the Fabaceae family. In gardens, the most cultivated species are Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud), Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree), and Cercis chinensis (Chinese redbud), each offering a wide range of cultivars with varying growth habits and foliage colours.
Eastern redbud originates from the eastern regions of North America – from southeastern Canada through the Great Lakes area down to Texas and Florida. The first botanical records of this species date back to the 16th century, when it was described by Spanish and French naturalists. In the 18th century, it reached European botanical gardens, quickly gaining popularity thanks to its early flowering and elegant form. Thomas Jefferson planted it in his gardens at Monticello, and George Washington recommended it for shrubbery plantings. In Native American culture, redbud had practical uses – its flowers were edible, and medicinal infusions were made from its bark. Today, it symbolizes spring and hope and has even become the official state tree of Oklahoma.
LAVENDER TWIST is an iconic weeping form of the eastern redbud, admired for its unmistakable silhouette. Its branches do not simply arch downward but also twist and spiral gently, giving the crown the character of a living sculpture that becomes more expressive with age, making every specimen unique. The deciduous leaves are large, broadly heart‑shaped, medium green and only lightly glossy; on young shoots they often appear almost oversized, which enhances the contrast between the robust foliage and the delicately contorted branches. In spring it flowers directly on bare wood, producing masses of small, pea-like blossoms in vivid pink‑purple shades, a display reminiscent of certain subtropical species and rather exotic in Central European gardens.
The story of its discovery goes back to the 1960s, when a young Cornelia Covey received a small redbud seedling as a gift from her parents. She planted it in front of her house, where over the next thirty years it developed into an unusually twisted, pendulous tree that drew the attention of neighbours and passers‑by. Eventually it was noticed by Tim Brotzman of Brotzman’s Nursery in Ohio, who attempted to graft it – and succeeded. At the time Cornelia was moving to a smaller property, so Brotzman purchased the tree along with the rights to register it. In 1996 the cultivar was patented under the name ‘Covey’ with patent number PP10328 and introduced commercially as LAVENDER TWIST. Historic photographs of the original tree, Cornelia Covey (Connie) and her dog Luke still circulate today, reminding us that remarkable discoveries can begin for instance as an unexpected family gift.
LAVENDER TWIST grows fairly quickly, usually 45 to 70 cm per year, and like all weeping redbuds it requires training if a trunk is desired. Without guidance it forms a low, broad, strongly twisted, shrub‑like shape, while careful staking can produce a small tree with a dramatic, sculptural silhouette. Trees from nurseries are typically trained to different heights, which in practice determine the near‑final height of the future plant, as new shoots above that point simply arch over. Compared with the newer Texas selection ‘Traveller’, LAVENDER TWIST has a more compact habit with shorter, more tightly twisted branches that give it a heavier, more sculptural presence, whereas ‘Traveller’ produces longer, more fluidly pendulous shoots and a lighter, airier crown. It is precisely this pronounced twisting and dramatic character that has secured LAVENDER TWIST a lasting place among the most sought‑after weeping redbuds.
Eastern redbud is not particularly demanding when it comes to soil, it will thrive in ordinary garden soil as long as it’s well-drained. However, it performs best in slightly to strongly acidic soil with consistent moisture, though not in boggy conditions. During hot spells in June, we’ve observed occasional scorching of the youngest leaves on plants exposed to full sun without adequate watering. Fortunately, it has proven very resilient – damaged leaves were quickly replaced by new, healthy ones. Young plants benefit from protection against harsh spring sun, which can be surprisingly intense, and from drying winter winds, especially in exposed locations. It dislikes transplanting, this is a tree that settles into its spot and doesn’t appreciate being moved. It can be shaped by pruning while young; later, we recommend trimming only thin branches during dormancy, ideally in late winter before bud break. Its cold hardiness is excellent, commonly rated to -29 °C (USDA zone 5), with some sources suggesting it may survive down to -34 °C (zone 4a), though this remains untested. Container growing is not recommended as it needs space for its roots and a stable microclimate that pots cannot provide.
Last update 06-01-2010; 12-04-2026
