I adore redbuds and the 2 species you mention seem to be the best for our region, although in my experience, really hard to find (it's possible there are sources I don't know about). They are among my favorite trees, not just for the spring flowers which are of course incredibly beautiful, but I love the leaves. You're so lucky to have the eastern exposure to be able to enjoy a redbud in the Vegas Valley.
My gal Mary Irish says the Cercis var. mexicana is more shrubby than var. texensis and as you know more drought tolerant, but still needs regular irrigation in summer.
And I agree that gardening over time acutely sharpens our vision. If one does not really "see" plants it's hard to recognize their value, or even notice when something is badly pruned (not very philosophical but your post has given me new perspectives to think about!).
I lucked into the two specimens I planted. It was a Mary Irish book that got me pining for these varieties in the first place, and then when I saw a little grove at Springs Preserve (although I wonder if they are western redbuds?) I got to thinking that maybe it was possible. I stumbled on var. texensis at a Spring’s Preserve plant sale and the var. mexicana at a backyard grower. It was really pitiful. More the idea of a plant than an actual living thing. Ha. But it’s leafing out this spring.
Btw. I heard you are designing the new native plants garden at Desert Love. I cannot wait to see it!!
I too have been wondering for years which redbuds are growing at the Springs. There are a couple by the entry on Valley View as well, or were (I have not visited in a while) and actually in the street median that I always marvel at because the conditions there are so harsh. Maybe you can get the scoop!
I hope your mexicana makes it!
Yes, I'm so excited to be working with Kym Martin and growers Frank and Bill to design a demo garden. How fun to have the opportunity to design with the native plants I've been pining away for all these years!:-)
Your perspective on the philosophy of gardens is a topic I've often discussed without realizing how much has been written about it.... I just purchased What Gardens Mean by Stephanie Miller—thanks for sharing these titles! I'll be working my way through the others as well.
What’s also fascinating is how much *hasn’t* been written about it. Just a handful of books, really. And most of those in the last twenty five years. Quite a few published articles in aesthetics journals and thinks like that. I’m interested in learning why that is. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Miller’s book. I’m hoping to start that one soon.
I adore redbuds and the 2 species you mention seem to be the best for our region, although in my experience, really hard to find (it's possible there are sources I don't know about). They are among my favorite trees, not just for the spring flowers which are of course incredibly beautiful, but I love the leaves. You're so lucky to have the eastern exposure to be able to enjoy a redbud in the Vegas Valley.
My gal Mary Irish says the Cercis var. mexicana is more shrubby than var. texensis and as you know more drought tolerant, but still needs regular irrigation in summer.
And I agree that gardening over time acutely sharpens our vision. If one does not really "see" plants it's hard to recognize their value, or even notice when something is badly pruned (not very philosophical but your post has given me new perspectives to think about!).
Thank you for a beautifully-written post!
I lucked into the two specimens I planted. It was a Mary Irish book that got me pining for these varieties in the first place, and then when I saw a little grove at Springs Preserve (although I wonder if they are western redbuds?) I got to thinking that maybe it was possible. I stumbled on var. texensis at a Spring’s Preserve plant sale and the var. mexicana at a backyard grower. It was really pitiful. More the idea of a plant than an actual living thing. Ha. But it’s leafing out this spring.
Btw. I heard you are designing the new native plants garden at Desert Love. I cannot wait to see it!!
I too have been wondering for years which redbuds are growing at the Springs. There are a couple by the entry on Valley View as well, or were (I have not visited in a while) and actually in the street median that I always marvel at because the conditions there are so harsh. Maybe you can get the scoop!
I hope your mexicana makes it!
Yes, I'm so excited to be working with Kym Martin and growers Frank and Bill to design a demo garden. How fun to have the opportunity to design with the native plants I've been pining away for all these years!:-)
Your perspective on the philosophy of gardens is a topic I've often discussed without realizing how much has been written about it.... I just purchased What Gardens Mean by Stephanie Miller—thanks for sharing these titles! I'll be working my way through the others as well.
What’s also fascinating is how much *hasn’t* been written about it. Just a handful of books, really. And most of those in the last twenty five years. Quite a few published articles in aesthetics journals and thinks like that. I’m interested in learning why that is. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Miller’s book. I’m hoping to start that one soon.