Other Names:  Bubblegum Redbud, Chinese Redbud

Description:

A spectacular and hardy spring bloomer, with dazzling bubble gum pink flowers emerging from red buds, held tightly on bare branches in early spring; a top choice large shrub or small ornamental tree for specimen use

Ornamental Features

Bubble Gum Redbud has pink pea-like flowers along the branches from early to mid spring, which emerge from distinctive red flower buds before the leaves. It has grayish green deciduous foliage which emerges light green in spring. The heart-shaped leaves turn buttery yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Bubble Gum Redbud is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Bubble Gum Redbud is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Bubble Gum Redbud will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.