Spring Flowering Trees: Re: Flowering trees

» Cottage_Garden - Re: Flowering trees

I have only grown Cercis canadensis. They seem to need some age before they will bloom to full potential, but young trees will show a touch of color here and there at about three to five years. They fix nitrogen so may not need much feeding. Seem to bloom best in full sun, make wispy little understory trees in the dense woods with scatterings of pink along the stems. They are in full bloom here and are the dominant understory color since the Cornus florida have mostly died out. The combo though is incredibly beautiful when it occurs.

One other thought, is provenance. These trees are apparently more cold hardy from northern seed sources, so there is some local adaptation. I wonder if heat tolerance could be similar, with some preferring a warmer climate. I don't know if chill factor could affect blooming.... and Dirr lists them to zone 9 which is quite warm.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden