A redbud variety that loves full sun

Well, as soon as you think you’re giving the right information, you find something that makes you back track. Our native redbuds prefer partial shade but driving down Devine Street in Columbia recently, I marveled at the beauty of the redbuds growing in absolute full sun and covered with those dramatic purple flowers (why redbud is the name is a mystery), with even more cauliflory than usual —cauliflory is when flowers grow right out of the branches and trunks. I spoke with Ann Huyler of the City Tree Department who right off the bat told me about them – they are Cercis canadenis variety texensis Oklahoma. There are all sorts of new redbuds in the trade now; this one is spectacular and makes quite a show and seems to be cheerful and health growing in what couldn’t be a harsher location.