About Cercis chinensis Bunge
Cercis chinensis Bunge, commonly called Chinese redbud, is a member of the Fabaceae family native to China, where it is widely distributed. This species can grow as a tree reaching up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 50 centimetres (20 in), but it is most often found growing in shrub form. Its flowers are pink or milky white, and its leaves are nearly circular in shape, 6 to 14 centimetres (2.4 to 5.5 in) long, and taper to a pointed tip. It flowers in April in the Northern Hemisphere and September in the Southern Hemisphere, and produces fruit in October and March respectively, matching the hemispheres. In addition to having high ornamental value, many parts of this plant have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Although this plant is hardy, cultivated specimens require a sheltered position with a south or west-facing aspect, and damp, well-drained soil. Two cultivars of this species have earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, confirmed in 2017: C. chinensis 'Avondale' and C. chinensis 'Don Egolf'.
