Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Mexican Redbud
Mexican Redbud is a small, often multi-trunk tree that covers its bare branches in dark pink flowers in early spring, before the leaves come out. The glossy, wavy, heart-shaped leaves follow and turn yellow in fall. It usually grows 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, a good size for a patio or courtyard. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers.
Best for: a small patio or courtyard tree, an early spring accent or focal point, groups and borders, and east or north sides with afternoon shade.
It usually tops out at 10 to 20 feet tall and wide, often with several trunks. That size fits a patio, courtyard or small front yard where a big shade tree would crowd the house.
Dark pink flowers cover the bare branches in early spring, before the leaves come out. Use it as a focal point, or plant a few in a group or along a border.
In the low desert it does best with afternoon shade, on an east or north side or under taller trees. Plant it about 8 to 12 feet from other trees.
Full afternoon sun can burn the leaves, especially on a young tree. Soggy or poorly drained soil can bring root rot, and dropped leaves and pods make it a poor pick right next to a pool.
- Group or border8 ft apart, center to center
- Tree to tree8-12 ft apart, center to center
Water every 3 to 4 days for the first two weeks. Stretch to about weekly by the first month, then every 10 to 14 days by the second month. Soak the whole root ball each time.
Soak it 2 to 3 feet deep about every 1 to 2 weeks in the hottest months. It needs little or no water in winter while it is bare. Move the water out toward the drip line as the tree grows.
Do not prune for the first two years except to take out dead or broken branches. After that, prune lightly right after the spring bloom. Never remove more than a third of the tree in one season.
In the Valley, plant it on an east or north side or under taller trees. Full afternoon sun can burn the leaves on a young tree.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Mexican Redbud get?
It usually grows 10 to 20 feet tall and about as wide, slowly to moderately, and many grow with several trunks. Give it 8 to 12 feet from other trees.
When does Mexican Redbud bloom?
It blooms in early spring, often February into March, before the leaves come out. Dark pink flowers cover the bare branches. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds visit them.
Does Mexican Redbud need shade in Phoenix?
Afternoon shade is best in the low desert. Plant it on an east or north side, or under taller trees. Full west sun can burn the leaves, especially while it is young.
How often should I water Mexican Redbud?
Water a new tree every 3 to 4 days at first, then stretch to every 10 to 14 days over about two months. Once rooted, soak it deeply every 1 to 2 weeks in summer. It needs little or no water in winter while bare.
What soil does Mexican Redbud need?
Give it soil that drains well. It grows in sand, clay or rocky soil and handles alkaline soil. Avoid caliche and spots that stay wet, which can cause root rot. Test the hole first and make sure it drains within a day.
When should I prune Mexican Redbud?
Leave it alone for the first two years except for dead or broken branches. After that, prune lightly right after it blooms. Shape young trees early so they build strong branches.
Does Mexican Redbud need fertilizer?
No. It is in the pea family and does fine without it. Do not fertilize at planting.
Is Mexican Redbud messy?
It drops its leaves in fall, and seed pods up to 3 inches long follow the flowers. Keep it back from a pool so leaves and pods stay out of the water.
How cold can Mexican Redbud take?
It is rated hardy to about -5 to 0°F, so it needs no frost cover in the Valley. It drops its leaves in fall and rests bare through winter.
How is Mexican Redbud different from Texas and eastern redbud?
All three are the same species. Mexican Redbud has smaller, glossier, wavier leaves. Texas and Mexican redbud are more compact and handle drought better than eastern redbud.
Mexican Redbud for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Mexican Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. mexicana) is a small tree from the limestone canyons of west Texas and northern Mexico. It flowers dark pink on bare branches in early spring, then fills in with glossy, wavy leaves. Below is what to expect, including size, spacing, sun and shade, water, soil, pruning and how it compares with Texas and eastern redbud.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Mexican Redbud in Phoenix
Mexican Redbud is a small tree that blooms dark pink on bare branches in early spring. In the low desert it does best with afternoon shade and soil that drains. Its glossy, wavy leaves turn yellow before they drop in fall.
How big does a Mexican Redbud get?
It usually reaches 10 to 20 feet tall and about as wide, growing slowly to moderately. Many grow with several trunks, which suits a patio or courtyard.
How far apart to plant Mexican Redbud
Plant Mexican Redbud about 8 to 12 feet apart, center to center. In a group or along a border, about 8 feet works. The Spacing tab on this page helps lay out a row.
Where to plant a redbud in the Valley
Pick an east or north side, or a spot under taller trees, so it gets afternoon shade. Full west sun can burn the leaves on young trees. Avoid caliche and low spots that stay wet.
Watering Mexican Redbud
Water a new tree every few days, then stretch to every 10 to 14 days over about two months. Once rooted, soak it deeply every 1 to 2 weeks in summer. Let it rest with little water in winter.
When to prune a redbud in Arizona
Skip pruning for the first two years except for dead wood. After that, prune lightly right after the spring bloom, and shape young trees for strong branches.
Mexican Redbud vs Texas Redbud
Both are compact, drought-tolerant forms of the same species. Mexican Redbud has smaller, glossier and wavier leaves. Texas Redbud grows a little larger, about 15 to 20 feet.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.