Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ graces gardens with an elegant umbrella-like shape. Globe-headed and weeping in nature, it displays a floral bounty of pink blossoms attracting hummingbirds every Spring. Hardy and versatile, eastern redbud ‘Covey’ transforms landscapes into painterly scenes, while its seedpods, reminiscent of snow peas, make intriguing winter accents.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’, is also called Lavender Twist redbud, Eastern redbud ‘Covey’, was first discovered in a Westfield, N.Y. private garden of Connie Covey in 1991. Cuttings were taken for propagation by plant breeders, and the plant was patented in 1998. It is also known as the ‘Covey’ eastern redbud. Lavender Twist redbud is a dwarf variety, slowly growing 5 to 15 feet (1.5-5 m.) tall and wide. Its unique attributes include the pendulous, weeping habit and contorted trunk and branches.
Like the common eastern redbud, Lavender Twist redbud trees bear small, pea-like pink-purple flowers in early spring, before the tree leafs out. These flowers form all along the tree’s cascading, twisted branches and its trunk. The blooms last about three to four weeks. Once the blooms fade, the plant produces bright green heart-shaped foliage. This foliage turns yellow in autumn and drops earlier than most trees. Since Lavender Twist goes dormant earlier than other varieties, it is considered more cold hardy. Their contorted branches and trunk add winter interest to the garden.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Eastern Redbud responds well to direct sunlight and does best in partial shade, whereas Western Redbud thrives in full sun. That’s why eastern redbud ‘Covey’ is found in a variety of moist, well-drained soils, and grows more densely on sunny slopes where it enjoys more intense sunlight with less plant competition.
Temperature
Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ adapts to wide fluctuations in temperature and growing environment, ranging from -28 ℃ in the winter to 32 ℃ during summer. To induce flowering, eastern redbud ‘Covey’ needs temperatures below -2 ℃. Some research reports it can withstand 40 ℃. Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 51 to 127 cm. It needs sufficient water for its growth and is somewhat resistant to drought.
Watering
Eastern Redbud trees planted in full sun respond well to watering. Keep the soil moist during the summer. Apply a little watering to young plants initially; their watering need will increase as they grow. For better moisture preservation, polythene mulch can be spread on the beds, making holes in the mulch at the point of plant emergence.
Western Redbud is more tolerant of prolonged periods of drought but responds well to watering during dry conditions. For more vigorous, lush green sprouting, water regularly if planted in direct sunlight.
Soil
Eastern Redbud can well grow outdoors in moist, loamy, or sandy soils. Its occurrence on slopes with more sunlight is prevalent. It is acclimatized to a wide range of pH; however, it thrives best with a pH range of 6.6-7.8 or above. It doesn’t tolerate inundated sites, poorly aerated soils, or sandy soils.
Western Redbud is adapted to grow in a wide variety of soils, including course and nutrient-deficient soils that are well-drained. It grows as an understory cover tree and is fairly tolerable to lime and acidic soils. It also tolerates alkaline soil and clay; its best pH range is 5.5-7.8.
Fertilizing
Being a member of the pea or Leguminosae family, eastern redbud ‘Covey’ can fix nitrogen, so there is no need to add nitrogen fertilizer to these plants because excessive nitrogen application invites caterpillars and sucking pests to your plants. Add some compost in the soil before planting to help extend moisture retention.
At the time of planting, mix phosphorus supplementation with planting soil to help roots develop. As eastern redbud ‘Covey’ is primarily planted due to its clustering flowering patterns, boost flowering by applying fertilizer rich in boron to leaves at the start of the spring.
Planting Instructions
Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ is fairly easy to propagate by direct sowing. It can also be grown in a container during spring or fall.
Collect seeds from pods with a dark brown or reddish-brown color, as this indicates the maturity of the seed pods. Preserve seeds in an airtight container at 3 ℃. The hard outer seed covering requires seed scarification and stratification to break dormancy. Put seeds in steaming hot water for 30 minutes and follow moist sand stratification for 6-8 weeks at 5 ℃. Seeds are now ready to be planted during the current fall or upcoming spring.
Dig the soil to a depth of 30 cm; make a fine tilth that allows the young roots to easily penetrate it. Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ has a tap root system that grows quickly during the first year. Bed size can be adjusted depending on the available space. During late spring, put your seeds in the bed to a depth of 4 to 5 cm and cover gently with garden soil. Seedlings or already growing plants can also be planted in prepared beds adopting the “balled and burlapped” method.
Pruning
Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ requires regular pruning for pedestrian clearance beneath the canopy, as it usually branches low on the trunk. The tree grows in a multi-trunk fashion that can be trained to continue with a single dominating trunk. Trees must be pruned to remove overcrowded branches, weak branches, forks, and dead limbs to give its canopy a rounded, vase shape that adds value to your garden landscape.
Prune at the appearance of new leaves or in the late fall. Reduce the number of lateral branches and maintaining a reasonable distance between them.
Transplanting
Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ thrives when transplanted from early to late spring due to optimal soil warmth and growth conditions. Choose a location with dappled sunlight and well-draining soil. If necessary, ensure roots are kept moist during the process for better acclimation.
III. Uses and Benefits
Eastern redbud ‘Covey’ makes an excellent specimen as a centerpiece for a small garden or in a container for added interest on a patio, deck, or flanking an entryway.
The flowers are also edible and create a real wow moment whenever you use them in recipes.
