Description
Form: A shrub, or with pruning, a tree.
Leaf retention: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Slow.
Mature Size: 15-18' (4.5-5.5m) high and wide.
Flowers: Pink, appearing before leaf out, may persist as leaves develop, edible. The red buds stay closed for two weeks before opening, giving this plant its name.
Bloom: Mid winter to spring, depending on location.
Fruit: Seed pods, edible when young, drying to brown.
Leaves: Green, heart-shaped, smooth with undulating margins, leathery, turning yellow in the fall. This plant provides medium shade.
Stems: Multi-trunked and multi-branched.
Roots: This is one of the few members of the Legume family that does not have root nodules which perform nitrogen-fixing.
Wildlife: The flowers attract butterflies and bees. The seeds attract birds.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Texas and Mexico.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 6-9.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: This plant is tolerant of soil types and accepts pH 5.6-8.5 (acidic to alkaline) soil.
Water after becoming established: Once or twice a month. Less water is needed in part shade.
Prune: Pruning is required to develop a strong structure.
Litter: Seedpods, leaves in fall.
Propagation: Seed.
Uses: Ornamental, shade. The edible flowers and buds can be used in salads. The young seed pods can be eaten raw, sautéed, or boiled.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Legume family (Fabaceae). Its scientific synonym is Cercis canadensis var. mexicana. It is smaller, and more heat and drought tolerant than the Eastern and Texas Redbuds.

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