20 Comments
User's avatar
Stacy Boone's avatar

These photos are gorgeous. I gifted my mom one of these a few years ago and it brings her a lot of joy when looking out the back window.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Thank you, Stacy. I always try to keep a redbud near where I live. They bring me joy as well.

ElisabethM's avatar

I learned about redbuds from my mother who grew up in Indiana and loved them above all Spring-flowering trees.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Good for her. And do you love them as well?

ElisabethM's avatar

Yes, and I just saw one in bloom at my favorite nursery - my first ever up-close view. The blossoms are so lovely, almost orchid like. I think it’ll be my next addition- I’ll plant it at the wood’s edge.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

An excellent idea!

ScienceGrump's avatar

I was just planning to get two, so this post is my cue to actually make that happen.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Excellent!

Jon Tate's Daily Practice's avatar

The flowers make for a beautiful and tasty topper on a salad.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Yes, they sure do!

Anne Thomas's avatar

My campus is rich in redbuds and they’ve been vibrant for weeks!

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

What a treat!

Janice Weber's avatar

I had a redbud tree for 25 years and I loved it dearly. There’s nothing like that purple haze. Unfortunately living in Denver Co I had my heart broken many years due to a spring freeze but on the years I got lucky it was heavenly!

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Too bad! Redbuds take a big risk by flowering so early. This year, mine lost about 1/3 of its flowers to a freeze but the rest went on to bloom.

Amy Lord's avatar

When I see one in bloom my whole heart just sings. Is there a difference between a “Judas tree” and an eastern redbud?

Thanks for this uplifting piece :-)

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

You are welcome. Judas tree is a common name for Cercis siliquastrum, a relative of our redbud found in Southern Europe and West Asia. The story tying this tree to Judas is a mistranslation with some added folk tales. The tree was known as “arbre de Judee” in French, referring to its origin in the Judea region. Redbud is a better name.

Alder Burns's avatar

Redbud flowers are edible. I often nibble on them when I come upon them...

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

We often add them to salads, and, like you, I like snack on them when I’m out and about.

Gina Fera's avatar

I planted a redbud last spring. It will bloom soon but not flowering yet here in RI.

Tom Kimmerer's avatar

Something to look forward to!