Cercis chinensis 'AVONDALE'

Avondale is a Chinese redbud that comes from New Zealand and is said to be the most profusely flowering redbud ever. From the first hot days of spring small, deep pink, pea-like flowers appear on bare wood, opening from buds that overwintered from the previous season. Flowering lasts for as long as 3-4 weeks, weather conditions pending, and before they fade out new leaves begin to emerge. They are yellowish-green with some coppery hues when young, maturing to mid green, and turning yellow and golden in autumn. They are kidney-shaped or, less commonly, heart-shaped with a pointed tip.

Avondale redbud is valued for its abundant flowering as well as dense habit. It grows rather slowly into a compact shrub of a narrow V-shape when young, with outspreading crown as it ages. Its ultimate height in maturity is about 3m which makes it an ideal choice for using as a specimen plant in small gardens and landscapes where a larger plant would be an obstacle.

Grow it in almost any well-drained soil in full sun. It does best in loam. Young plants need constant moisture before establishment, older plants can take periods of drought. Protect very young redbuds with fir branches for the first couple of winters. Plants with hardened wood are reliably hardy to about -24°C (USDA zone 6).

Last update 24-02-2012