Judaszowce(Cersis) are extraordinary shrubs, which in spring literally whole - both shoots and trunks - are covered with beautiful, dark pink flowers. These unusual plants are quite capricious to grow, so it's worth knowing their requirements. Learnhow to grow Judasand whichvarieties of Judasare recommended for planting in gardens. In this article you will also learn how to performpruning and breeding Judas , as well as how to protect these plants for the winter.
Canadian Judaszowiec - Cersis canadensis
Fig. pixabay.com
Judaszowce , belonging to the Fabaceae family, occur naturally in Europe, North America and Asia. In Poland, you can most often meet Canadian, southern and Chinese Judas. Due to low frost resistance (frost resistance zone of plants 6B and warmer)Judas trees without risk can be grown only in the warmest regions of PolandThe largest collection of these plants can be seen in the Dendrological Garden in Przelewice in the Province of West Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Judaszowiec - appearance description
Judaszowce in our conditions take the form of several meters high busheswith a loose crown. With age, they also often develop a trunk. Large, heart-shaped, single leaves turn yellow, orange or maroon in autumn. The greatest ornament of Judas trees is thepink flowers , gathered in clusters, appearing in April and May, even before the leaves develop. Flower buds grow on both annuals and older shoots, and even on the trunk.This phenomenon, called kauliforia, is extremely rare. The fruit of the Judas tree are flat pods, approx. 10 cm long. In our climatic conditions, Judas trees rarely bear fruit.
Where to plant a Judas tree?
Judaszowiec looks greatboth as a solitaire and as an ingredient in a composition with barberry, funka, ornamental grasses and trees and shrubs with a similar flowering date, such as: tamarisk, hydrangea, dogwood or mahogany. Due to their small size and resistance to drought, Judas are perfect both in small gardens and in urban green areas.
Canadian Judaszowiec - Cersis canadensis
Fig. pixabay.com
Judaszowiec - species and varieties
Canadian Judaszowiec(Cersis canadensis) is the most popular species in Poland. The perverse name is misleading when the homeland of this species is Mexico and North America.The Canadian Judas is the largest among all Judas - the bushes grow up to 7-8 m in height. It is alsothe most frost-resistant species of redbud , so it is best suited for cultivation in Poland (frost resistance zone 6B). It blooms at the end of April.
Due to its popularity, the Canadian redbud has the most varieties. Thevarieties of white flowered redbud : Alba, Royal White and Texas White are very interesting and up-to-date.
Judaszowce also impress with their unusual foliage. The variety'Forest Pansy'catches the eye with purple leaves that turn brown in late summer, and 'Rising Sun' with golden-orange leaves, which turn green in the full season, and turn shades of yellow in autumn.Canadian Judaszowiec 'Carolina Sweethearth'is an award-winning variety whose large leaves charm with colorful spots, streaks and dots in shades of green, pink, purple and white.Over time, they lose their unusual coloration to green.
Among the varieties of the Canadian redbud, tree varieties with overhanging shoots can be distinguished. They are commonly calledweeping redbud . These extremely attractive varieties include, among others:
American Judascher 'Ruby Falls'- taking the form of a compact shrub, 2-4 m high and similar in diameter. In early spring, hanging shoots are covered with butterfly-shaped, intensely pink flowers, followed by heart-shaped, maroon leaves. In autumn the leaves take on various shades of orange and red.
Canadian Judaszowiec 'Cascading Hearts'- with dangling and ribbed shoots and an umbrella-like shape, it resembles a Manchurian willow. In May, it is covered with purple flowers. The tree is a colorful accent also in autumn, when the green leaves begin to sparkle with shades of gold. The tree can be formed.
Canadian Judaszowiec - Cersis canadensis
Fig. pixabay.com
Canadian Judascher 'Traveler'- it is a small (up to 1.5 m), compact tree. The span of the crown can reach 2 m. The variety is also attractive due to its shiny, large, copper-colored leaves that turn green over time.
Canadian Judaszowiec 'Lavender Twist'- is a variety with purple-pink flowers, weeping habit and small dimensions (up to 2-3 m tall). The leaves turn golden yellow in autumn, providing an additional decoration. Like the dark brown, scaly bark, revealing rusty and orange tissue.
Chinese Judascus(Cersis chinensis) is the earliest flowering among Judas - flowers develop already in mid-April. Large, green, heart-shaped leaves turn golden in autumn. In our climate, plants reach a height of up to 5 m, and the first flowers appear 5 years after planting.Few available in Polandvarieties of Chinese Judasinclude:
Chinese Judasowiec 'Avondale'- has a compact, umbrella-like habit and a height of 3-5 m. Dark green leaves, thick and arranged like tiles, overlap one another. Large, pink flowers appear at the end of April.
Chinese Judaszowiec 'Melon Beauty'- blooms in May with a cascade of pink, butterfly flowers. The leaves are also extremely decorative - reddish, then golden, up to green. The variety grows slowly and reaches 3-4 m in height.
Southern Judascus(Cercis siliquastrum), also known as the Eastern Judas Tree or the Judas Tree, is the only European species of the genus Cersis. It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean. Pink-violet flowers appear at the end of April and tightly cover the shoots and the trunk. Large leaves are also impressive - thick, shiny with a clear line of veins. In autumn, they change color to shades of copper and gold.
A very impressive variety isSouthern redbud 'Alba' , which dazzles with the white of the dense inflorescences appearing in May. Leaves turn a beautiful yellow color in autumn. The tree reaches a height of 6 m.
Southern Judaszowiec - Cersis siliquastrum
Fig. depositphotos.com
Judaszowiec - cultivation
Judasites prefer sunny and secluded positions , and fertile, permeable and moist soils. They can cope with drought, but not with heavy, loamy soil and stagnant water. They are tolerant to the pH of the soil - they grow well on both slightly acidic and alkaline ones.
You should carefully choosea place where Judas is grown , because not only does it not like transplanting, it is not very resistant to low temperatures, and frosty winds are deadly for it.
When buying Judas tree in a pot can be planted at any time, when weather conditions allow it.However, the bestplanting date for Red Judaswill be the autumn months, when appropriate soil moisture will facilitate the adoption of the newly planted plants.
Judaszowiec - wintering
Toprotect Judas from freezing , for at least a few years after planting, it is worth protecting them by wrapping the crown with agrotextile or jute fabric. The base of the trunk should be sprinkled with sawdust, garden bark or soil, forming a mound of about 30 cm.
You can alsogrow Judas trees in potsThen, for the winter, they are moved to a secured room by frost.
Judaszowiec - cut
Judas trees do not require pruning , so we can limit ourselves to removing sick or frozen shoots. If we want to lead a Judas tree in a stump form, we remove the shoots knocking out from the bottom of the trunk and shorten the upper ones, forming a crown. On the other hand, to achieve a nice, bushy habit of Judas, shorten all shoots after planting, which will stimulate the plant to break out new growths from the base.
MainJudas cutting dateis winter or early spring, when there are no leaves and flowers on the plant yet. Light correction cuts can also be made after the flowering of the bush has finished.
Judaszowiec - reproduction
The most effectivemethod of reproducing Judas is sowing seedsThe seeds collected in autumn are stratified (supercooled) for several weeks. In early spring, in February or March, we sow them in a greenhouse or a warm inspection with a temperature of approx. 21 ° C to boxes filled with permeable substrate. After the seedlings produce 2-3 true leaves, pick them into individual pots. After 2 years, we plant plants for a permanent place in the garden.Judas trees do not tolerate transplanting well , therefore, after taking them out of the pots, they should be planted immediately at their destination.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
