Cercis Canadensis – Eastern Redbud

April 30, 2009

Eastern Redbud, Cercis Canadensis, April 30, 2009

Eastern Redbud, Cercis Canadensis, April 30, 2009


The Eastern Redbud Tree is indigenous to Maryland, a lovely understory tree to purple your landscape. Here is one, reaching for the sun. In the “Gardener’s Directory, Washington D.C.& Metro Area”, an article, “Why Native” debates the two camps of thought – grow natives which recognizes our botanical heritage versus importing exotic plants. Exotics might be more suitable for the given site in lieu of native material arriving before the Europeans. One can argue that diversity from similar hard conditions is equally important when choosing which to plant, native or exotic. The debate has given rise to increased interest in native plants, perhaps less of a demanding choice.

Anne Raver wrote in the New York Times Home Section on April 30th that indeed native plants are a necessary element in the garden. They attract bees. “Go ahead, Plant a coneflower. In fact plant a zillion – it’ll help your squash yield,” she advised. Her blessing of the dandelion, “transglobal weed,” will not give any credence to my shrug the shoulder attitude when our car passes by the bed of their stems that pop up overnight much to my husband’s dismay.

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