Experience growing Estern Redbud, specifically Forest Pansy?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi,

I am located in San Diego about 5 miles away from the ocean. Does anybody have experience growing purple-leaved Forest Pansy Redbud in the Greater San Diego region? How do you like it and is it pretty easy to maintain? I am primarily concerned about pruning, pest issues and branch windthrow.

If you're not from San Diego but have good/bad experience with them I would love to hear about it too!

Featured Answer

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

9 years ago

A bit north of you in OC. The neighbor has had one for maybe 8-10 years. The growth habit is such that branches drape downwards, (low canopy) so over the years they limbed it up quite a bit, a bit too high, perhaps, making it look slightly skimpy of branch and foliage. I found the same low canopy habit in my Cercis so got rid of them. Just something to consider in placement. Otherwise a fairly nice tree, with decent spring bloom of pink flowers.

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Comments (6)

Tina Chang
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi hoovb, thanks for the input! The tree is stunning and the pruning shown in the picture doesn't bother me at all! I love the way it looks!
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JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
9 years ago
There is one near me that seems to be doing quite well. I'm about 2 miles from the beach.
Tina Chang thanked JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
gyr_falcon
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
There seems to be a larger failure rate for 'Forest Pansy" in SoCal than for some of the other Cercis planted. But I think it is partially a watering issue. The CA Cercis, C. occidentalis can get by with less water than the other species. But the C. canadensis "Forest Pansy' does not like to dry out completely and needs regular irrigation.
Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have a buddy here in LA that planted some and they looked terrible every summer with leaf spot fungus. Most of the ones I see up here look pretty beat up by Aug. He's ripping the last one out this year.
Tina Chang thanked Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
9 years ago
My C. occidentalis used to start dropping foliage by mid-June. Once they set those gazillion seed pods they were ready to go dormant again. Sure don't miss them.
Tina Chang thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23