Cercis; redbuds and Judas trees

Posted by

Ali Barwani

17 April 2026

On 17 April 2026

Many of my early memories are to do with plants and gardens. What do I remember? I recall being taken to Kew Gardens in April to see the Judas tree in full bloom. Impressions from when I was six or seven years old of its bounteous cerise flowers, the surreal way its pink buds arose directly from the trunk and branches. When told this was the Judas tree, the tree from which he hanged himself after the great betrayal, I believed, like Stanley Spencer in Cookham, that this specimen was the actual biblical tree.

The Judas tree or Cercis siliquastrum is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern Mediterranean and Near East. Its cordate (heart-shaped) leaves appear soon after the flowers. Look closely at the pink blooms in the above photograph and you will notice they are pea-like, it is indeed a member of the pea family (Fabaceae). The pink flowers are followed by long flat hanging seed pods. Their shape is reminiscent of a weaving shuttle, or kerkis in Greek, hence the genus name. The woody seed pods are botanically a type of fruit known as a siliqua, from which the species name derives.

How did the Judas connection arise? One line of thought suggests it is a corruption of ‘tree of Judea’ because it can be commonly found growing in the Judean hills around Jerusalem. An alternative explanation posits that as it grows in the place where Judas hanged himself, according to biblical tradition, thus this was the tree he chose for the act of self-destruction. An elaboration to the story is that this terrible event caused its white flowers to turn red. A pure white flowering form, Cercis siliquastrum f. albida can be found for those with an aversion to vibrant pink.

In total there are ten species of Cercis. Other Cercis species can be found growing in California, China and Central Asia. In all cases they originate in regions with hot summers; either dry and parched Mediterranean biomes, or warm and humid climates such as those found in China and eastern North America.

Cercis species and cultivars grow as large shrubs or small trees with attractive round or heart-shaped leaves. They all produce their flowers in the same unusual manner, directly from their branches, a habit known as cauliflory.

Two noteworthy species are Cercis canadensis and Cercis chinensis. The North American trees are often known by their common name, redbud. This descriptive moniker is becoming increasingly popular and is often used to describe all types of Cercis.

Cercis canadensis, the eastern redbud, is native to eastern North America. Its showy flowers vary from light rose to magenta, appearing in clusters in spring from the bare branches and even the trunk. The eastern redbud is widely planted in English parks, gardens, and streets. The cultivars ‘Forest Pansy’ and the weeping form ‘Ruby Falls’ are particularly popular, valued for their showy purple leaves, which turn brilliant shades of ruby and marmalade in autumn. Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’ has leaves that mature to vivid yellow.

Cercis chinensis or Chinese redbud is endemic to China. The flowers are pink or milky white. It is hardy in England but benefits from being grown in a sheltered spot. Visit RHS Garden Wisley this week and you will see the spectacular vibrant pink sight of Cercis chinensis ‘Avondale’ wall-trained on the Welcome Building. This espaliered tree, planted in 2019, is now recognised as one of the spring highlights of the garden.

So, if you are thinking about planting a small tree in your garden I would like to suggest you consider this glorious spring flowering gem. The arrival of its pink buds on bare branches after the end of winter is one of the most magical and memorable events nature has to offer.

Further Information:

Some more Easter themed plants.