How to Landscape With the California Redbud

California redbud (also known as western redbud) is a flowering large shrub or small tree native to California, Arizona and Utah. It reaches 7 to 20 feet tall and features rounded, heart-shaped leaves and pink pea-like flowers. It is useful in landscaping because it is an effective soil stabilizer along streams and banks. It is drought tolerant, yet it can also withstand occasional flooding. Plant year-old seedlings or larger plants from a nursery. California redbud is hardy to USDA zone 6.

Shovel or spade
Liquid fertilizer
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Select a sunny or partly shady location with good soil drainage. California redbud tolerates alkaline or acidic soil.
- 2
  Dig a hole for the redbud plant that is as deep as the root ball and four times its width.
- 3
  Place the California redbud plant in the hole and fill it in with soil to the top of the root ball, watering thoroughly.
- 4
  Give the plants water during the summer for their first three years in the ground. Avoid overwatering to prevent crown rot.
- 5
  Apply a liquid fertilizer when the leaves first emerge in the spring.
- 6
  Prune dead branches in the fall, winter or early spring while the plant is dormant.

Native Tennessee Shrubs

How to Landscape With Oleander and Bottlebrush

Landscaping Shrubs