Cercis siliquastrum Seeds | Judas Tree
LATIN NAME: Cercis siliquastrum
COMMON NAME: Judas Tree
Plant Profile
Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum) grows as a tree in the bean family (Fabaceae), native to Mediterranean and western Asia. Over seasons it steadily builds a rounded crown, standing 5-10 metres at maturity. Full sun is ideal, in deep, fertile ground. Add these qualities together and you have a species well worth a place in the garden.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the bean family, Cercis siliquastrum draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. The Judas tree has a genuine and distinguished place in both horticultural and cultural research. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Judas Tree earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, the Judas tree is a charming tree of the Mediterranean. Its deep pink flowers feed bees and early insects of spring, and its heart-shaped leaves give a light shade, while it is a beloved presence in woodlands, gardens and hills of the region. For a grower, the Judas tree is a rewarding and charming tree, and for a gardener it brings heart-shaped leaves and a fine display of deep pink bloom along bare branches. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Redbud flowers and young pods are edible with a pleasant sour bite, rich in vitamin C, and Native American traditions used bark teas for colds.
Growing from Seed
Raising Judas Tree from seed is straightforward. Sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly into a loose, well-drained seed compost, water in gently, and keep the sowing in full sun with steady moisture. A cool, moist period before sowing helps the seeds wake evenly — a few weeks in damp medium in the refrigerator is the usual approach. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
A plant of mediterranean and western asia, it carries that landscape’s resilience into the garden. Careful watering early on is rewarded by toughness at maturity.
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