Monthly Archives: February 2013

perennials , Leave a comment

Redbud – Cercis canadensis

by
Redbud - Cercis canadensis

Redbud – Cercis canadensis

Normal bloom season for the Eastern Redbud is March through May. These buds popped up on 10 February, about three weeks ahead of schedule. Central Texas is about the westernmost part of the range for var. canadensis, where it is replaced by two smaller varieties, var. texensis and  var. mexicana , which are also both native to Texas. As you can see here, the flowers appear on the bare branches, while the glossy leaves follow later. Need one add that it is deciduous?

The flowers and leaves apparently are edible, and the twigs have been used to  create a yellow dye by boiling in water.  The Eastern variety requires more water than the Texas or Mexican varieties, but even it is drought tolerant. It thrives in partial to full shade. and are good in wooded areas.  In the past, I have observed an early migrating Monarch Butterfly attracted to the flowers, which in general  provide nectar to nectar feeding insects.  In North Carolina, I have heard these referred to as “weed trees” and considered a nuisance.

perennials, wildflowers , Leave a comment

Tradescentia sp – Spiderwort

by
Tradescentia sp - Spiderwort

Tradescentia sp – Spiderwort

Here it is February 3, and the temperatures are reaching 70 degrees F. The Spiderworts are already starting to bloom, even though their usual bloom starts in March and lasts through April.   Will have to keep track of how long they stay in bloom. These are planted as a companion to Turk’s Cap – Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii which typically bloom from May through November. The leaves drop in the winter and generally the plants are trimmed to about 1 foot from the ground around mid-February. This year the winter has been so mild that the wood has not been killed down to the roots as it often is.  Call it climate change or call it global warming, but the plants are responding to their environment. And the Spiderworts are starting to bloom.