WHY ARE REDBUD TREES CALLED ‘REDBUDS’ WHEN THE FLOWERS ARE ACTUALLY MORE PINKY-PURPLE IN COLOR?
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
Written By:
Shane Wade, The Happy Horticulturist
Hello! I’m Shane Wade, and welcome to Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation’s blog: The Happy Horticulturist.
As March winds sweep across the landscape here in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b, a welcome splash of color emerges among the trees.
Those vibrant pinkish-purple blossoms you’ve spotted are likely from the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), a beloved harbinger of spring here in Central Mississippi.
But if you’ve ever wondered why it’s called a “Redbud” when the flowers clearly lean more toward purple, you’re not alone!
In fact, my wife asked me this very question just the other day as she gazed out a window of our home at a blooming Redbud tree behind our property.
So, if you’ve ever wondered the same then read on below for a quick answer, as I dig a little into the origins of this curious name.
Q: WHY ARE REDBUD TREES CALLED ‘REDBUDS’ WHEN THE FLOWERS ARE ACTUALLY MORE PINKY-PURPLE IN COLOR?
A: The name “redbud” comes from the reddish hue of the tree’s buds before they open.
While the flowers themselves appear in stunning shades of pink and purple, the unopened buds—and even the protective outer bud scales—have a distinct red tint.
Early observers named the tree for this feature rather than the more vivid blooms that follow.
Additionally, plant names often come from historical or regional naming traditions, and over time, “redbud” stuck—even if the flowers seem to tell a different color story!
WELCOME SPRING WITH THE BEAUTY OF REDBUDS!
At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we all agree: nothing says spring quite like the striking beauty of redbud trees!
Thinking about adding one to your landscape? Redbuds are a fantastic native choice that thrives right here in Zone 8b.
For more information on Redbud Trees, click HERE.
NEED A LITTLE HELP?
Contact us today at 601-421-9713 to schedule a consultation and explore our comprehensive landscaping and irrigation services in the greater metro-Jackson, Mississippi area.
“We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle any landscape, lawn care, or irrigation project, big or small.” - Shane Wade
CONTACT Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation to schedule an ON-SITE ESTIMATE APPOINTMENT.
LET’S GET SOCIAL, BUTTERFLY!
We welcome all of our “social butterfly” readers to stay in the loop with the latest on all things “Zone 8b” by connecting with us and following us on our social media channels!
🦋 Flutter on over to our new Link Tree landing page to connect with Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation on social media HERE.
LEAVE US A COMMENT
We invite you to leave your questions or comments in the comments section at the end of this post.
And, don't forget to subscribe to the DIRT
e-newsletter, and follow us on social media for more updates and exclusive content.
Thank you for reading our blog, and stay tuned for more tips, trends, updates, insights, and news coming soon from Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation’s Blog:
Brandon, Mississippi
601-421-9713
MEDIA CONTACT:
601-218-6900
***
Blog Sources:
extension.msstate.edu/news/southern-gardening/2018/native-redbud-shows-out-bright-spring-colors
https://theplantnative.com/plant/redbud/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
For more outdoor space inspiration, horticulture hacks, expert tips, news, best practices, and recommendations, be sure to check out the resources above and subscribe to our blog:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️