What's Blooming Kansas City - Eastern Redbud

 

 

The Eastern Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) is a widespread native of, you guessed it, the eastern United States. 

The small deciduous tree provides a good show even before it blooms. The prominent red buds provide ample reason as to how the tree got its name. Once the flowers drop, the seed pods become prolific and a significant amount of saplings will often sprout up the following spring. The twigs and saplings have a distinctive zig-zag pattern of growth and are nearly black in color. Redbud trees will grow quickly given enough water.