A redbud that isn’t pruned will eventually grow to be about 25 feet tall, with a 25- to 35-foot spread of foliage. Understory trees like the redbud look great framing a house because their shorter stature accents the roofline without dwarfing it. Horticulturists recommend planting flowering understory trees like the redbud in clusters. When they bloom, it’s as if someone graffitied the landscape with a very big brush. Water and pruning aren’t the only things homeowners can go easy on when it comes to planting and nurturing redbuds. Nurseries used to always advise gardeners to amend their soil with nutrient-rich potting soil and fertilizers, but some horticulturalists now say it may be unnecessary. Eventually, all plants must adapt to their environment, and there’s evidence that the sooner this happens, the better. Because the redbud is so low-maintenance, there’s almost no wrong time to plant one. Dudley likes to tell people, “If you can dig, you can plant. Unless the ground is frozen, you can plant just about anything.” The advantage to planting a redbud in the fall is that watering it regularly becomes less of an issue. By the time the tree meets its first drought the following summer, it should be fairly well established. But planting in the spring or summer is fine too. There’s no debating that a dogwood will outlive an eastern redbud. The average dogwood lives 80 years compared to a redbud’s 30-year lifespan. But the redbud’s blooms are so distinctive, it’s worth considering the tree as a complement to the dogwood, if not an alternative. At most nurseries, shoppers can expect to spend about $125 for a six- or seven-foot tall tree. Redbud or dogwood, it’s important to remember that native trees, shrubs and plants matter. Choosing a native tree guarantees a habitat for local wildlife, reduces the likelihood of introducing a non-native invasive plant into the landscape, and requires less maintenance and water usage. Increasingly, Dudley sees shoppers that understand—and embrace—these benefits. “People are paying a little more attention than they used to,” says Dudley, “They’re trying to go with things that are easier on the land and easier on themselves.”
Our practice specializes in pediatric dentistry & orthodontics and offers a full range of services for infants, children, teens and special needs patients. Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics of Lynchburg Shepherd Sittason, d.d.s. · Keith Pyle, d.d.s. 105 Paulette Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502 434-237-0125 · www.smilelynchburg.com
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