Cercis chinensis Shirobana - Chinese Redbud

The Cercis chinensis Shirobana is a remarkable Chinese redbud selection due to its white colour and abundant flowering, as well as its vigour. This small tree, one of the first to bloom in early spring, is also distinguished by its large leaves and wide habit. Shirobana's flowers emerge from cream buds and bloom in clusters directly on dark-coloured branches before the foliage appears. Its heart-shaped leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in autumn. This selection combines a Japanese-inspired design with great robustness.

The Cercis chinensis Shirobana belongs to the F abaceae or Caesalpiniaceae family and is native to China and Japan.  'Shirobana' is a rare form with white flowers, particularly floriferous. This small tree or bush, with a spreading habit and branching from the base, sometimes multi-trunked, shows a relatively slow growth. Ultimately, it reaches about 5.50 m (18 ft) in height and 4.50 m (14 ft 10 in) in width. Its development naturally depends on the growing conditions, often not exceeding 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) in all directions. The flowers appear before the leaves, usually in late March, directly on the branches. They are particularly abundant, shaped like pea flowers, gathered in clusters. The floral buds are tinged with green and cream, while the flowers are pure white. The fruits, in the form of flattened pods, appear in summer and remain on the plant in winter, much to the delight of birds. The foliage consists of heart-shaped, rounded, rather thick and smooth leaves. They measure 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in) in length. Their margin is transparent and leathery. They are bright green in summer, then turn yellow before falling in autumn. The bark is dark in colour, becoming grey on the trunk or older branches. 

This Chinese cousin of the Judas tree is truly undemanding, it withstands severe cold and grows in ordinary soil, even limestone and dry in summer. It can be planted alone, or combined in a grove with other easy-to-grow flowering shrubs such as lilacs, large shrub roses, wild and botanical roses, forsythias, apple trees, and ornamental cherry trees...