Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Texas Redbud
Texas Redbud is a small spring-flowering tree that covers its bare limbs in pink to purple flowers just before the leaves come out. Its thick, glossy, rounded leaves follow, then purple seed pods that hang on into fall. It grows about 15 to 20 feet tall, a size that suits small yards and the side of a house. Bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds visit.
Best for: a small flowering tree for a side yard or small garden, north or east sides, spots under taller trees, and borders.
It grows about 15 to 20 feet tall with a rounded crown. That fits a small garden or side yard. Give it 20 feet or more from other trees.
In the hot low desert, plant it on a north or east side, or under the edge of larger trees. Late afternoon shade keeps the leaves from burning.
Pink to purple flowers cover the bare limbs in early spring, often March into April. Purple seed pods follow and hang on into fall, and the leaves turn yellow before they drop.
Full west sun can scorch it in the low desert. It needs soil that drains, so caliche and low spots that stay wet are poor picks.
- Tree to tree20 ft apart, center to center
- From other trees20 ft or more from other trees
Water two to three times a week through the first summer, and about weekly in winter. Soak the whole root ball. Stretch the schedule out as the tree roots in over the first year.
Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep every 7 to 14 days in the hottest months. Water much less in winter while it is bare. Move the water out toward the drip line as it grows.
Take out only dead or broken wood the first couple of years. Train young trees for strong branches. After that, prune lightly after the spring bloom, never more than a third in a season, and skip heavy summer cuts.
Plant it on a north or east side or under the edge of taller trees. Late afternoon shade keeps the leaves from scorching in a Valley summer.
Drops its leaves in winter and leafs out again in spring.
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 Texas Redbud get?
It grows about 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide, at a moderate pace. Plan on 20 feet or more between it and other trees.
Where should I plant Texas Redbud in Phoenix?
Plant it on a north or east side, or under the edge of larger trees. In the hot low desert, late afternoon shade keeps the leaves from burning.
When does Texas Redbud bloom?
It blooms in early spring, often March into April, just before the leaves come out. Pink to purple flowers cover the bare limbs, and bees and hummingbirds visit.
How often should I water Texas Redbud?
Water a new tree two to three times a week in summer at first, then stretch it out as it roots in. Once rooted, soak it deeply every 7 to 14 days in the hottest months.
What soil does Texas Redbud need?
It needs soil that drains well, and it handles alkaline, rocky or clay soil if water moves through. Stay away from caliche and wet spots, and test the hole first to make sure it drains within a day.
Is Texas Redbud messy?
It drops its leaves in fall, and purple seed pods follow the flowers and hang on into fall. Keep it back from a pool so leaves and pods stay out of the water.
When should I prune Texas Redbud?
Leave it alone the first couple of years except for dead or broken wood. Shape young trees early for strong branches. Prune lightly after it blooms and avoid heavy summer pruning.
Does Texas Redbud need fertilizer?
Usually not, because it is in the pea family, so skip fertilizer at planting.
How cold can Texas Redbud take?
It is rated hardy to about -10°F, so it needs no frost cover in the Valley. It drops its leaves and rests bare through winter.
Is Texas Redbud more drought tolerant than eastern redbud?
Yes. Texas Redbud is smaller and handles drought better than eastern redbud. Its leaves are thicker, glossier and rounder.
Texas Redbud or Mexican Redbud?
Both are compact, drought-tolerant redbuds. Texas Redbud grows a bit taller, about 15 to 20 feet. Mexican Redbud has smaller, wavier, glossier leaves and often stays nearer 15 feet.
Texas Redbud for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis) is the redbud of Texas and Oklahoma, a compact tree with thick, glossy, rounded leaves. It flowers pink to purple on bare limbs in early spring. Below is what to expect, including size, spacing, where to plant it in the Valley, water, soil, pruning and how it compares with Mexican 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.
Texas Redbud in the Valley
Texas Redbud is a compact redbud with thick, glossy, rounded leaves. It flowers pink to purple on bare limbs in early spring. In Phoenix's low desert, plant it on a north or east side or under larger trees.
How big does Texas Redbud get?
It grows about 15 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide at a moderate pace, with a rounded crown.
How far apart to plant Texas Redbud
Give Texas Redbud 20 feet or more from other trees, center to center. Along a border, about 20 feet apart works.
Watering Texas Redbud in Phoenix
Water a new tree two to three times a week in its first summer, and about weekly in winter. Once rooted, soak it deeply every 7 to 14 days in the hottest months.
Texas Redbud vs eastern redbud
Texas Redbud is smaller and more drought tolerant than eastern redbud. Its leaves are thicker, rounder and glossier.
Texas Redbud seed pods and fall color
Purple seed pods follow the flowers and hang on into fall. The leaves turn yellow before they drop, so the tree has color in spring and fall.
When to prune Texas Redbud
Prune lightly after the spring bloom. Train young trees early for strong branches, remove dead wood, and avoid heavy pruning in summer heat.
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.