Cercis canadensis var. Texensis ‘Traveller' - Traveller Weeping Redbud

Few would argue the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is one of the finest ornamentals among small flowering trees. This includes the naturally occurring variant Texensis. Because of this, horticulturists have bred and developed dozens of cultivars (short for “cultivated varieties”) over the past several decades. This cultivar is called ‘Traveller.'

The flowering habit of the Eastern redbud is unique among trees with pink-red buds forming along branches throughout the entire crown (not just branch tips) in March and early April. These buds open to reveal pink-purple flowers in mid April here in western Pennsylvania and last around three weeks. Redbuds are easy to identify when flowering as they appear to have a pink silhouette around most of the tree, even along thick, older branches. This trait is shared by both upright and weeping cultivars. As flowers fade, heart shaped leaves begin to form. Fall color is usually a modest but respectable yellow.

The naturally occurring variety Texensis, or Texas redbud, is indigenous to Texas and Oklahoma. It has evolved notably thicker, glossier leaves to thrive in southern heat. While being somewhat less cold tolerant, it makes it a good candidate for relatively warmer areas in the landscape compared to a standard Eastern redbud.

'Traveller' (Cercis canadensis var. Texensis 'Traveller')  is a weeping cultivar of this variety. Like all Texas redbuds, this cultivar has glossy leaves which are quite attractive. The foliage is a standard green which lends itself to greater horticultural versatility such as in less formal landscapes where burgundy and chartreuse foliaged plants would look out of place and against brick structures where they tend to be less noticeable. A mature specimen is 6-10 feet high and wide, with the spread being somewhat greater than the height. Site in a location where ‘Traveller’ can retain its form by letting the branches weep to the ground for maximum effect. Resist urges to prune or trim aside from occasional stray or dead branches.

Redbuds have been, somewhat unfairly, viewed as temperamental (some have even dubbed them as "deadbuds"). The key to success, however, is understanding how and where the species grows naturally and how to site and/or mimic these conditions in the landscape. If a few conditions are met, Redbuds are fairly adaptable and easy to grow.

Eastern redbud is native throughout most of the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and central parts of the United States with Pennsylvania and Michigan occupying the northern limits of its range. And as noted previously, the Texas redbud variety is specifically native to areas of Texas and Oklahoma. Both are generally found growing in the understory and along the edges of forests and woodlands, often on upland slopes in neutral to slightly alkaline soils (e.g., limestone). As an understory tree, all redbuds prefer part sun so this is the ideal amount of sunlight when they're planted in gardens and landscapes. The straight species and many of its varieties and cultivars, including ‘Traveller’, will grow well in full sun if planted in the vicinity of other trees and vegetation. This helps moderate intense wind exposure and extreme temperatures. Avoid planting redbuds as stand alone specimens in empty, exposed areas and site them away from surfaces that heat up in the summer months such as asphalt, cement, and extensive river rock and brick (although 'Traveller' can certainly push the boundary beyond all other weeping cultivars).

Eastern redbud and all its varieties and cultivars are adaptable to a range of soils as long as drainage is good. They grow well in neutral to slightly alkaline soils - where they frequent in the wild - but they will also will grow in average acidic soils that exist in most home gardens. They perform well in clay soils (as long as they don't accumulate too much water after rainstorms). As a member of the pea family, they colonize bacterium in and along their roots to foster and "fix" nitrogen. This trait enables redbuds to thrive in leaner soils. As such, you don't need to concern yourself with fertilizing. Once established, redbuds will tolerate dry spells (although a little supplemental water during droughts is still a good idea).

As a regular component of eastern forests and woodlands, Eastern redbud contributes a host of ecological services. The flowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for queen bumblebees in spring when they emerge from hibernation and begin to build nests. In summer, you may notice sporadic, circular shaped cut outs from the foliage. These are the handiwork of indigenous leaf cutter bees. These bees are solitary, nonaggressive bees that use these leaf cut outs to build tubular nurseries for their offspring. ‘Traveller’ provides some of these ecological services, less so because of the smaller size and because this cultivar is reported to have little to no pollen. If strong ecological function is important to you, consider the straight species or another green foliaged redbud instead.

Fun fact: many parts of redbuds are edible. Many opine that the flowers have a subtle floral sweetness with a slightly tart aftertaste. Developing seedpods, when they are purplish-green, resemble snow peas and can be similarly used in salads and stir fry.

If deer are a problem for you, we recommend you provide your tree with protection, such as a metal cage, until the tree is large enough to not be severely damaged.

Written by Plumline staff and not AI.