Many of you responded to my previous post about Redbud, scientific name Cercis canadensis, by saying that you were not familiar with the tree.   Commonly called Eastern Redbud, it is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree with a rounded crown and is noted for its stunning pea-like rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely on bare branches in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges.  

The tree is native to eastern and central North America from Connecticut to New York to southern Ontario and the Great Lakes south to Western Texas and Florida( http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ ).  Here in Virginia, we often see it in open meadows, and along roads and rivers.

My blogging pal, Pauline, The Contented Crafter, thought the Redbud looked familiar, and in doing a quick online search, found that in New Zealand they call it The Judas Tree.

Littlesundog, writing from Oklahoma, commented that she loved the beautiful blooms and the heartshaped leaves.

If you don’t have Redbud in your area, feel free to come visit Southwest Virginia in the spring and I’ll be happy to show you around!