Cercis chinensis Don Egolf - Chinese Redbud

The Chinese Redbud 'Don Egolf' is a dwarf variety of Cercis chinensis appreciated for its bushy and regular habit, wider than it is tall. In spring, its bare branches are adorned with numerous small pink flowers grouped in clusters. Its slightly heart-shaped and thick leaves are deciduous. It thrives in sunny and semi-shady locations and in rich, moist, and well-drained soils. Cold-hardy and easy to grow, this small shrub will find its place in any garden, big or small, and even on your terrace in a large container.

Native to Asia (China and Japan), Cercis chinensis  belongs to the Legume family, just like its cousin, the Judas tree or Cercis siliquastrum. Cercis species are cauliflorous. Their flowers appear directly on the wood, branches, and trunk. This is also the case with the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao), the papaya tree (Carica papaya), the durian tree (Durio zibethinus), and the jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus). 
The Chinese Redbud 'Don Egolf' forms a compact and well-proportioned small shrub. With a slow growth rate, it doesn't exceed 2.5m in height and is generally wider than it is tall. In spring, before the emergence of its dark green and heart-shaped leaves, its branches and trunk are literally covered with clusters of pink flowers. It's a true delight for the eyes. Small, but very numerous, its flowers are papilionaceous, meaning they resemble those of sweet peas. Melliferous, they attract pollinators. The 'Don Egolf' variety is sterile. It does not produce fruits.

The Cercis chinensis 'Don Egolf' will easily find its place in a small garden as a solitary specimen or even on a terrace in a large container. Plant it in full sun or semi-shade in a rich, moist, and well-drained soil. In a large garden, create a magnificent spring border by pairing it with a Cornus florida 'Cherokee Daybreak' with white flowers in May-June or another redbud with white flowers, such as Cercis chinensis 'Shirobana' which can be planted in the background.
Pair it with a summer-flowering clematis, like Clematis 'Fond Memories', which will climb up its trunk and bloom from June to October, when your redbud will no longer have flowers.