I love this tree! -Mike McGroarty
The Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud tree is an awesome specimen that everybody should have in their yard. The photos you see here are The Lavender Twist that I had in my front yard of the house we just sold.
Redbud trees have an interesting way of displaying their blooms. The flowers appear in early spring before the tree starts to make leaves. The flowers are tiny and delicate, it’s almost as if they are glued to the branches.
Special: Get Paid to Grow Plants from Home—Mine Have Earned Thousands!
Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud trees bloom really early in the spring and unlike Weeping Cherry trees, the flowers are pretty doggone tough. I’ve seen them go through frost after frost without fazing the blooms at all. That’s a huge advantage for a tree that blooms early in the spring.
The top photo was taken in early spring when the tree was in full bloom. The middle photo was taken in the middle of summer when the tree is covered with those round, a little bit heart shaped leaves. The bottom photo was taken at the end of January when the tree was completely snow covered.
The second tree from the right in the above photo is the Lavender Twist. Also in this photo are three different kinds of weeping Japanese maples and the big tree in the background is a Golden Curl Weeping Willow tree.
Where to buy a Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud tree?
The Lavender Twist grows nicely in hardiness zones 5 through 9. Can you grow one in zone 4? Probably, but you are pushing the zone limit a bit. If I lived in zone 4 I’d have one in my yard. I would take that chance.
The ideal place to buy a Lavender Twist would be from a retailer in your local area. Call around, especially in the early spring, to see if your local garden centers have them or will have any coming in. You can check at the big box stores, but this is not something that they typically carry. But you never know for sure. If you call them on the phone they probably won’t know, you really need to go look.
Urgent: Backyard ATM Machine Spits Out $5 Bills On Command (Time-Sensitive!)
A local landscape contractor might be able to locate one for you from a wholesale grower but chances are they will only work with you if you hire them to plant the tree. But that’s not a bad thing. Writing a check is a lot easier than lugging a tree home, digging a hole, carrying the tree across the yard, then trying to get it in the hole at the right depth, getting straight and staking it.
If you want to order one online you can do that. The tree you get will likely be smaller, but hopefully the price will affect that. If you buy a smaller Lavender Twist you will need to stake it and train it into a nice shape. You have stake it and get it to grow upright first, then once you get it to a height of 6′ or so, start shaping the head to look like the one in these photos. Lower branches should be removed.
Don’t be afraid to trim your plants! The more you trim them the happier they are!
Questions, comments, mean things to say? Post them below and I will respond. Until then, by any and all means stay inspired!
Don says
Hi Mike,
I’m curious if the Lavender Twist Redbud is a hybrid and if it can be started from seed.
I have an Oklahoma Redbud in my garden and have started seedlings from it’s seed. I just learned about the Lavender Twist and I’m thinking about getting one this spring. That’s why I was curious if it is a hybrid.
Mike says
Don,
Hybrid? I guess. It will not come true from seed. Seeds will produce Eastern Redbud with no weeping effect. This tree will not grow from a cutting, they have to be grafted onto a seedling.
Mike Munsell says
I have what I have believed to be a weeping redbud in my yard that I have taken almost daily photos of the buds as they develop from the first hints of pink in the spring until the last of the blossoms fall in late May. Recently I published a photo on FaceBook and a friend that’s had a long career as a naturalist claims that it’s a weeping cherry. Can I send you some photos I’ve taken of the blossoms this year so you could weigh in on the identification.? Thanks
Mike says
Mike,
If you post the picture online you can share a link of the image here. A redbud bloom is unique, purple lavender, weeping cherries are pink.
Mike Munsell says
Here’s a link to a photo of the blossoms as of yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10231385126316859&set=p.10231385126316859&type=3
And here’s the full tree/shrub the day before: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10231374296686125&set=a.1807786479921
While I don’t have any photos the leaves which are just starting to emerge are heart shaped when fully developed.
Thanks,
Mike Munsell
Mike Munsell says
Here is the original photo I posted taken May 13: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10231374296686125&set=a.1807786479921
Here is a detailed photo of the blossom taken May 14: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10231385126316859&set=p.10231385126316859&type=3
The leave when mature are distinctly heart shaped.
Thank you,
Regards,
Mike Munsell
Mike says
Mike,
Very much a weeping redbud, probably Lavender Twist, not a weeping cherry.
Mike Munsell says
Thanks very much for weighing in on this. I appreciate it.
Mike says
Hi Mike. Planted a bare root lavender twist on April 23. Beautiful, full of blooms. I’m using a soaker hose to water, about an hour a day for the first 4 weeks. I cut back to 2x per week about 2 weeks ago and now the leaves are starting to curl. Is it not getting enough water? Dug down a couple inches and soil is wet. What should I do? Don’t want lose this tree.
Mike says
Mike,
The soil only needs to be moist and damp to the touch. It should not be soggy, soaking wet, in clay soil that for sure could kill your tree. Also make sure it’s not planted to deep. The crown of the roots should only be an inch or two below grade. What did you back fill the hole with? If you have clay soil and you back fill with some kind of bagged or organic material that too could contribute to the hole holding water and harming the tree. It hasn’t been in the ground that long, you should be able to raise the tree and make any adjustments to the planting that you need to.
Mike says
Thanks. Southern NJ so our soil is pretty good. The tree came in a ball in burlap. I loosened everything which left me with the tree and exposed roots so I backfilled with the soil from the ball. I’ll try raising it. How often would you recommend watering? Was using the soaker, barely turned on, about an hour a day. Thanks so much, the tree is very important to ua
Mike says
Mike,
Planted in the ground the tree should only need water twice a week until established. Don’t flood the root zone, just apply some water from the hose.
Lynn says
Hi I just planted a bare root lavender twist redbud and I am wondering should you train them in the spring or wait till fall or just give it a year to get a little stronger. Thank you Mike
Mike says
Lynn,
You have to train them all season long. If you wait even a few weeks the wood gets hard and brittle and you won’t be able to bend it at all without breaking it.
Maz says
Hello Mike, I live in Melbourne Australia where lavender twists do well. Mine is a picture at the moment here in early Spring. When I bought it about 2 and a half years ago I was not aware that I should be training it. It is now 5ft 4ins tall and I would like it to be taller but the top growth has become quite strong and rigid. The most suitable branch for training is a bit more than a quarter of an inch thick and it would be quite difficult to pull it into a vertical line against the stake. Even if I could do this it would be at nearly a 45 degree angle from the current main trunk. While this twisted look doesn’t bother me I also wondered if I cut one of the top weeping branches would new flexible growth which could be trained sprout from that? What is your advice? Should I cut at the top of the tree or just try to force one of the rigid weeping branches against a stake and hope it doesn’t break. I also noticed that during last summer the top of the tree looked bare ie there was no green foliage covering the top curve of the grey weeping branches. Is that normal and if not what can I do to encourage growth to cover the top of the tree? Thanks
Mike says
Maz,
You for sure will break those branches if you try and bend them now. Maybe a light pruning will produce soft pliable growth that you can train early next season. They do tend to get a bit bare on top.
Agerain says
Hi Mike! I wrote to you last year concerning when and how to prune my Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud tree, now about 4 or 5 years old. It is planted in a garden in full sun between 2 shrubs that were planted by our builders 17 years ago. They seem to act as a trellis of sorts to my Ruby Falls as it is not weeping any longer. Instead, it’s growing straight up and out towards the 2 shrubs! It’s at least 9.5 ft. tall now and has lots of seeds. Also, I don’t believe that the leaves have turned the dark red in the last 2 growing seasons. Is there a way to reshape it to its original weeping shape (and color) and to shorten it to keep it smaller to fit better in the middle of my large picture window?
I realize that I will need to prune the 2 shrubs as well. Since I wrote you last, I’ve had a series of surgeries and am just getting to where I can get into my garden.
I am in Texas north of Dallas and just south of the Red River…Zone 8 I think.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thanks in advance for your insight!
Mike says
Agerain,
It almost sounds as if your weeping redbud has a sucker that is growing upright. If not, trim those shrubs and cut the Ruby Falls back to where you want it. The sucker would have green leaves and no weeping habit, growing from the stem right above the soil line.
Anonymous says
Mike…I just looked at it again. The trunk that was staked by the nursery has died. The suckers have taken over…2 trunks about 5 inches in diameter. So….now I have a regular redbud tree, correct? I’m sure I need to have it removed as it is in a front flower garden, unless I can still cut it to a shorter height and keep it cut back. Suggestions please?
Thank you!
Mike says
You can try cutting it back, but it will continue to grow in an upward direction.
Anonymous says
Ok. The bottom 4′ is weeping so I cut it back to there.. I’ll see how it does there.
Thanks again!]
Matilda Salas says
Hi Mike, is it possible to grow the Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud Tree in a container?
Thank you,
Matilda
Mike says
Matilda,
I would not recommend it. I don’t think it would be very happy in a container.
Mark says
Hi, Mike – I have (had?) a Ruby Falls weeping redbud I purchased at a local nursery I planted it in my front yard and it did great the first year and then the deer found it the second year and ate all the leaves off of it while I was gone for a weekend. So, I dug it up and moved it to the back yard, which is fenced in. It was about 4 ft tall and struggled, but was getting some new leaves. Then the Big Freeze hit in Texas and I thought it was dead. But now there is growth coming up from about two inches above the base and the leave look like redbud leaves. My question is: Is the Ruby Falls a grafted tree? Could the sprouts be coming from a rootstock of some kind, or it is still Ruby Falls and I can train to weep again?
Mike says
Mark,
They are grafted or budded unless they happen to be via tissue culture. But if you have green leaves that are not weeping then those suckers are coming from the rootstock and will never weep. If Ruby Falls, they should weep on their own and not grow upright at all.
Kari says
Hi! I don’t have a green thumb at all, but I am trying. I had to order my redbud because no one had one locally. It was a bare root and arrived with a bunch of weeping branches. I read all the things about how to plant it sun/shade etc. Just curious how long it will take before I see anything bloom on it? I’m just hoping it’s not already dead!!
Mike says
Kari,
Shipped bare root plants can be tricky, if not iffy. Sometimes they are not always stored properly when bare root and damage is done. As long as the tissue is still green your tree has hope. Check it now, then check it every 10 days. Just because it’s green now doesn’t mean that it will stay that way. This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Just scratch the bark of your plants with your finger nail. If the tissue below the bark is green and firm your plants are fine. If the tissue is brown and mushy that part of the plant is dead.
Dawn I says
Mike,
I finally planted a lavender twist after years of admiration and it was doing so well, The a wind storm sent some flying debris that broke the top 2 feet of the trunk and the top branches. The shape doesn’t seem the same! Will it fill in , grow back, or should I start over with a new one? It’s just one year old. Thank you for your advice.
Mike says
Dawn,
You’ll have to re-train your tree to get that height back. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Dawn Impellizzeri says
Thanks Mike! That is helpful. My tree is already much bigger than those, 4 ft and strong. I lost the top of the tree. Do you think I can still train it taller?
Mike says
Dawn,
Absolutely you can. https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Steve says
Hi Mike. I also had a lavender twist that snapped off with the majority of the branches. Hi cut the tree about 2 feet above the ground and I’m getting all kinds of limbs below that. Will this tree ever be able to be trained or should I start over? Thank you
Mike says
Steve,
I think you can save it. Start training one of the branches to be the main leader then eventually start removing some of the lower branches, always making sure the tree has enough leaves for photosynthesis. Let me know in two years how the tree looks.
Helene says
Mike is the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’) the same as the twisted lavender?
Mike says
Helene,
Absolutey! Covey is the botanical name for Lavender Twist.
Debora says
Hi, Mike,
Can you please tell me if the Ruby Falls is the same tree as the Lavender twist?
Thank you,
Debora
Mike says
Debora,
It is, but Ruby Falls also has beautiful purple colored leaves. Other than that they are pretty much identical, flowers and all, weeping habit too.
mike says
Hello, I was wanting to buy one for my backyard how ever we have a easement that run through the hole side if the yard.
How is the root system on Lavender Twist , it as aggressive as the bigger wearing willow?
Thanks Mike
Mike says
Mike,
Lavender Twist is nothing like a willow tree. Slower growing, smaller root area.
Sherry A says
I have one that I planted as pretty much a twig in the fall of 2016. It has been doing well but this last year it really took off. Sadly, just as it was starting to bloom we had a cold snap and I wasn’t here to cover it, so I lost that phase. But now it is really weeping and has branches to the ground. When is the best time to trim those branches like you show above? Did I miss my window of opportunity or can I do it at any time?
Mike says
Sherry,
You can prune that Weeping Redbud anytime you want, any time of the year.
Ian Snyder says
Hello! Do you have advice for protecting Lavender Twist in the winter? I am in Minneapolis, which is 4B, verging on 5A bc of urban heat. Thank you!
Mike says
Ian,
I really don’t know that you can effectively protect any plant for the winter. Wrapping with burlap might break the wind, but prolonged cold permeates everything. However, my Lavender Twist Redbuds have been through winters of 15 below and 22 below and did just fine.
Karen says
Hi Mike! Thank you for all the great information! We live in central North Carolina zone 7.5. We planted a lavender twist weeping redbud this spring in full sun. Lately it’s been wilting in the 90 degree afternoons. (It doesn’t usually get this hot). Will it outgrow this? Did we put it in the wrong spot? Is there anything I can do to nurse it through if it’s just because this is it’s first year? Thanks! Karen
Mike says
Karen,
It should be fine, just water as needed but not soaking wet all the time.
Ernie says
Hi Mike I have a lavender twist tree that 7 ft tall and 7 years old it has a large Branch coming out of the side of it should I cut that also it has a lot of dead branches should I cut them every year
Mike says
Ernie,
Remove all of the dead wood and probably remove that branch, it could be coming from below the graft union.
bea says
We put in our Lavender Twist last spring and it has been doing very well. It’s now leafed out (after giving us a splendid bloom) and I’d hoped whatever was getting after the leaves last year would be gone this year, but the issue is back. Something is eating tiny holes in the leaves and today I was able to spy the culprit. They look like teeny little spider mites. Haven’t seen any directly on a leaf, but they are hanging around inside the canopy on their little silken threads.
I’m assuming spraying will be needed. Will any insecticide do?
Thank you for introducing us to this “lovely petite lady”, and any advice you have would be much appreciated.
Mike says
Bea,
A general insecticide should do the trick.
Yvonne Garman says
I would use a miticide if its spider mites. Spiders are in a class all its own.
Sarah says
Do you know how deep these roots go? We want to plant one but it’s somewhat near our gas line so I’m concerned we need to rethink our location.
Mike says
Sarah,
I can’t say for sure but I’d guess about 30″ at most.
Louie says
Hi I have bought two Lavender Twisted Redbud Trees one is going to be planted in my yard where the sprinkler will get it……will it be ok? Thanks
Mike says
Louie,
It should be. Just be sure to not plant it too deep. Planting it a little high and mounding soil over the root ball will help shed some of that water away.
Louie Dionese says
Thanks!!!! Do you know anything about growing Magnolia Trees in Colorado…..zone 5??
Mike says
Louie, probably not a lot.
Louie Dionese says
Thanks Mike
Paige Carson says
I had a lavender twisted redbud in memory of my son. We had a big storm that went through and snapped it in two about two inches above the base. Any chance it might grow back?
Mike says
Paige,
There is a strong chance that your tree will start growing again. It will need a lot of training as it grows. Typically start out buy selecting one single leader that you can tie to a stake to train the tree to grow upright. See this; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Allison Miller says
How far from the house or septic system should this tree be planted? I had an idea for where I wanted to plant it, but it would be 5 ft from my front porch and maybe 10 ft from the septic tank. Is this too close?
Mike says
Allison,
It would be a bit crazy of me to offer that kind of advice but the general rule is that the roots extend out to the drip line of the plant. That would be about 10′ I guess.
Chris says
Can you train Ruby Falls like a Lavender Twist?
Mike says
Chris,
Absolutely you can and should.
Eric Harris says
Hey Mike I have a beautiful Sun/Part Shade garden in back and shade garden in front I’ve been working on for 4 years. I just got a Lavender Twist. The spot I want it doesn’t get full sun but I have seen some places list it as “full sun/part shade”. It gets maybe 3.5 hours of direct unfiltered sunlight in the late morning and early afternoon. Then highly shaded by a Japanese Maple. Then it gets a bit of sun in the late afternoon early evening. How do you think mine will do?
Mike says
Eric,
I think more sun would be better.
Janice says
I am in zone 5. I want to plant a Lavener Twist in a sunny spot but it will be exposed to NorthWest winds. Would they be happy here?
Mike says
Janice,
Lavender Twist are pretty darn tuff, I think it will be fine.
James S. says
Hi, Mike. I discovered the lavender twist on your youtube page and bought one in 2015 or 2016. For some reason this spring it isn’t doing anything. It’s mid-May and I live in Maryland. Some of the thin branches are brittle and broke easily. But i broke off some other places and there is still some green inside the wood and the wood isn’t nearly as dry. Any tips? I really love the tree and want to see it get mature. Plus my neighbors enjoy it and i almost killed myself planting it Lol. Please help! Oh also, i think its a miniature variety
Mike says
James,
Not much you can do but give it a chance. This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Just scratch the bark of your plants with your finger nail. If the tissue below the bark is green and firm your plants are fine. If the tissue is brown and mushy that part of the plant is dead. Could it have been planted too deep?
Jenaea Pikalek says
HI Mike,
I put my lavender twist weeping redbud in about four years ago. It has been doing great, but I think something is wrong. It has not bloomed yet?!? I am zone 5, Chicago, Illinois. Do you know if it could still bloom or is there anything I can do?
Mike says
Jenaea,
I can’t imagine it not blooming. They are late this year, mine are just starting to show flowers.
Janice says
Hi, Our neighbor gave us a twisted lavender redbud about 7 years ago. It’s remaining very short and we prune it back every fall. 1. I’d like to relocate it next fall as it really is not in a good spot. Do they like to be moved? 2. About 10 ft away from this one, I have 2 plants that look just like the twisted lavender coming up since last year. Is it possible that they are volunteers of the original plant? I know they are red bud variety as they had the purple flowers and now the heart shaped leaves.
Mike says
Janice, You can move it as long as it is dormant, it should be fine. The two volunteers are probably seedlings. They might be weeping or could be more of an upright redbud.
Louisa Foss says
I live in zone 7! But on a mountain, 3100ft., in western NC, which has lots of wind. Can a twisted take lots of wind? Lots of hardy plants, like Azealeas, do not make it up here. Thanks, for any help!
Mike says
Louisa,
I’d say yes, but I don’t know for sure.
hassan says
can it be grown from seeds ?
Mike says
No it cannot, won’t come true from a seed. And it’s patented, can’t be propagate while under patent.
Donna says
Mike, I love your site and the information you give is very helpful. I just received my trees from Sprinhill, I bought 2 because I just fell in love with them. I didn’t know I needed to train them though…. Thank you for the information.
Mike says
You’re welcome Donna, enjoy!
Charlotte Tillman says
I bought a twisted red bud last year (2016) and although it is starting to bloom (spring 2017 in Savannah, GA) I do not see that it is making new limbs. There are two spindly ones now.
What should I expect? It is in my front yard and gets 6+ hours of hot sun a day.
Mike says
Charlotte,
That’s normal. It will bloom before it starts growing. Be prepared to trim and train your tree as it grows.
Jan Rogerson says
I saw a weeping Redbud tree in Euless Texas.
I do not know where to buy one..do you recommend any online company?
There is one in our neighborhood and it is so unique.
thanks
jan
Mike says
Jan,
I don’t, but check out any online seller first at Garden Watch Dog to make sure they are reputable.
Donna says
Springhill Nurseries sells them. That’s where I bought mine.
Helen Wholf says
Hey Mike, actually I bought my lavender twist from you last year or the year before. I have a lot of hostas and just had 2 pick-up truck loads more given to me, I thought they’d look good under several of my trees. The lavender twist weeping redbud, my river birch, a red maple, a purple plum and a couple dogwoods.
Someone told me there’s a nursery on narrows road that has climbing roses. I’m trying to blend some robin hood hedge roses into an old hedge a little ways before our wood line, do you have any regards above.
Mike says
Helen,
The nursery on narrows road is Springlake Nursery. Tell Brenda I say hi!
Jenaea says
Help! A big storm took out quite a bit of my twist weeping redbud. I planted the tree last August and it was over 6ft. The heightest branch came off and left a jagged nub at the top (the tree is now about 4ft.) and a layer of the bark was torn off (18in. Or more missing from the top down). Do I need to protect the freshly exposed bark? Do I need to do something with the big nub at the top, which is also torn and exposing fresh bark? I have pictures to send, but I can’t attach them to the comments box. I can email them if needed. You are the only expert I trust! Thank you in advance.
Mike says
Jenaea, I don’t do pictures, I don’t see incoming email.
Make a clean cut where the branch is broken, trim the ragged edges where the bark is torn. Get a tall stake and see if you can train a new branch up the stake to make the tree tall again. It can be done, but you might have to wait for new growth that is more pliable. See this https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Barbara says
I can’t find my post! I had a question about whether to snip off the limbs of my twisted lav weeping redbud that arrived from online as just a 3′ stick. Some of the limbs are double and I asked if I should snip off one. And when? Did you see my first post, please? Thank you!
Mike says
Barbara, the answer is yes, see this, https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Barbara says
Hi Mike – My weeping lavendar twist redbud is brand new. I got it online and it was just a 3′ tall stick when it arrived. It now is pushing out limbs and leaves and this is where my question comes in. Where there are two limbs coming out at the same time, do I pinch one off? Now? Or wait until fall? The limbs are about 6 – 8 inches now. It is staked. It is not growing height-wise, but is branching nicely. Thank you for any advice!
Mike says
Barbara,
Trim your tree as needed, anytime of the year. See this https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/teaching-a-lavender-twist-redbud-tree-how-to-be-a-tree/
Barbara says
Thank you. I watched that vid before I sent my question. My weeping redbud doesn’t look anything like yours. It’s just a stick with a few short branches with leaves. My question was, do I pinch off one of the small, new branches where there are two growing? Thank you, again.
Mike says
Barbara,
Yes, you need to establish one single stem that you can train upright.
CindyD says
I live in London Ontario, and the weather is going down to 9 degrees celcius on sunday.
I have a weeping lavender tree.
should I cover it up? it sounds like it is a bit hardy, so maybe okay? its just a young one
Mike says
Cindy,
They are pretty hardy but covering when going below freezing is always a good idea if the tree is in leaf.
Louise Grow says
Mike, I have had a Chinese redbud for several years. It seems to be dying here in PA after some brutal winters. My one dislike was all the seed pods and resulting baby plants to weed out. Otherwise I have loved it, under-planted with white daffodils and blue grape hyacinths. I’ve heard there is now a Chinese redbud that is seedless. Wondering if the weeping one is also seedless, or would I still be pulling out baby tress every year?
Mike says
Louise,
The weeping redbud is not seedless, but I never find any seedlings and I had hundreds of these growing the nursery and a large at home in my landscape. There is a market for those seedlings. They are Eastern Redbud seedlings.
Phyliss says
How deep does the hole need to be for the lavender twist weeper?
Mike says
Phyliss,
Absolutely no deeper than the ball, actually leave about an inch and a half of the ball above grade and put some soil over the ball then mulch. Planting a tree too deep is the worst thing you can do to a tree.
penny johnston says
let me start by saying your garden is beautiful.
i’ve never heard of this type of tree nor have i ever seen it. now that i have i’m on the prowl for one. all of the local nurseries around me have never heard of it either. LOL what is the difference between the lavender twisting weeping redbud and just a plain redbud? is there even a difference?
thanks for all the great tips!
Mike says
Penny,
Great question. The simple answer is everything! Well not really everything, they really are identical except a regular redbud grows upright, very much like a dogwood tree. The Lavender Twist is a weeping tree. It never grows taller than it is the day that you get it unless you actually stake it to grow taller. Lavender Twist is actually a very popular tree and I’m surprised that nobody in your area sells them or has even heard of them. Keep looking, you should be able to find one, there are over 1,000 licensed growers of this tree in the U.S. Not sure where you are but I still have some on hand in my nursery but most likely won’t after this year since I’m growing all small plants that I can sell for $5.97.
penny says
i am in louisiana, mike. thanks for responding. i’ve done some research and i’m having to order one online. everyone around here keeps referring me to a regular redbud. i’ve called roughly 7 local nurseries and i just gave up calling due to the same conversation. 🙂 but, i’m ordering now and can’t wait to get it in!
Mike says
Penny,
That’s great! Good luck with it. I sent one to my son in Baton Rouge and his is doing fine.
penny johnston says
do you sell and ship? if so can you email details? when you said you have some i assumed you just sold in your area…
Mike says
Penny,
At this time I do not ship plants. Possibly next spring I will ship some Lavender Twist, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Vallery Rogers says
I like this Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud… I was wondering if it would grow in a container.. I have a large container that I want to grow a tree with a fairy garden under it.. I live in the mountains of Santa Cruz, Calif zone 9 We never get snow or bad freezes.. If this tree would not work can you suggest one that might, had been thinking of one that stayed green all year as well.
Mike says
Vallery,
An evergreen that does well in your zone would be a better option. Trees like Lavender Twist Redbud need a dormancy period.
ray nethery says
I’m in zone 6 Louisville, ky, planted a lavender twist weeping redbud in May 2015, now it is july 15 2015 and no sign of life, plant is 7 ft. tall, do you think this tree is still alive.
Mike says
Ray,
It doesn’t sound like the tree is still alive. This is how you test to see if a plant, or a branch on a plant has died. Just scratch the bark of your plants with your finger nail. If the tissue below the bark is green and firm your plants are fine. If the tissue is brown and mushy that part of the plant is dead.
ray nethery says
Could you tell me if I can get a lavender twisted weeping redbud in fall, or they only in spring. Thank You. Ray
Mike says
Ray,
I’m sure you can get one in the fall but you’ll have to look around. Check all of your local garden centers and big box stores. I have about 20 on hand right now at $49 each but once they are gone that’s it.
Ray Nethery says
Would like to purchase a lavender twisted weeping redbud from You, but can’t find purchases on web site.
Mike says
Ray,
I don’t ship any plants. If you’re within driving distance I still have a few Lavender Twist that I’m selling at $49 each. They’ll probably all be gone next month.
Lisa says
Hi Mike- I love this tree and would like to add it to my garden in Queens, NY- zone 7. Can I plant it during the summer? Thanks!
Mike says
Lisa,
Absolutely! All you have to do is mulch around it, don’t plant it too deep, and water two or three times a week during the summer months.
Diane Monroe says
Hi Mike,
I just found your website and it is great. I was searching for information about my weeping redbud. It was planted by landscapers exactly 2 years ago. Currently it is about 3 feet tall and very full of leaves/branches. I wasn’t aware of staking it to train it to grow taller until I found your information. Is it too late to do that? Also, since it is July and I live in zone 5, should I go ahead and prune the branches so they at least aren’t touching the ground? Would it be better to wait until it’s dormant to help shape the tree? I wish I would have discovered your website earlier before my tree was so established. Thanks for your help! It’s a great little tree and I want to treat it right.
Mike says
Diane,
Yes, you can trim the tree now, Pam just trimmed ours yesterday. If you are going to train it upright you want to do that as soon as possible because the new growth gets very rigid and brittle after a few weeks. Just grab a limber branch and tie it to a stake.
Arline Hornung says
I have a new Lavender twist weeping redbud planted in May. It started blooming leaves around the beginning of June. I have noticed that some of the leaves are missing none on the ground. Could this be due to deer, rabbits or some other reason. What do you recommend I do?
Mike says
Arline,
For now I’d put a fence around the tree. Especially until it gets established. Then put it back up each fall if you have a deer problem.
Brenda says
We planted our weeping redbud in early spring. We had tempetures that fluctuated from hot to cold through the end of May. The blossoms held up very and the leaves are fully out. We now have seedpods at the top of tree. From what I read this should happen in the fall. We are in the Poconos , zone 5. Is this normal or cause for concern?
Mike says
Brenda,
The seed pods are normal, it takes most of the summer for them to mature in the pod, while hanging on the tree.
Anonymous says
Is there anyway you can grow tiis in zone 3? Perhaps by covering soil base with straw?
Mike says
Last winter here in northern Ohio it was down to minus 15 then this past winter down to minus 22 and my Lavender Twist trees did fine. More than likely it will do okay in zone 3. Or at least it’s worth a try.
Dennis says
Hi. I have a weeping redbud but noticed many of the leaves have holes chewed through them. I haven’t seen any insects. I have some acetamiprid for my roses. Think I could spray the redbud with that without harming it? Thanks for the help. Dennis
Mike says
Dennis,
Just about any insecticide meant for plants should be fine on your Weeping Redbud tree.
Cindy says
Mike,
I checked out your other articles on Lavendar Twist Redbud Trees but cannot seem to find the answer to my original question. I have just newly planted a Lavendar Twist in my flower bed as a center piece.
(It’s about a 20 ft flower bed) Will I have to worry about a large amount of seedlings appearing due to the seed pods on my tree? Just want to know if this is a problem. (The tree is a grafted one …if that makes any difference).
Thanks for any help.
Mike says
Cindy,
I don’t think so, I’ve never seen a chance seedling in my yard or my nursery. The seeds are difficult but not impossible to germinate, so it takes a lot for them to grow on their own.
Cindy says
Does the seed pods on a lavender twist redbud produce plants …….is it invasive?
Thanks,
Sharon says
Hi Cindy, Sharon here we just spoke on the phone…I should have told you to look at freeplants.com because of course Mike covers EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD there…
http://www.freeplants.com/redbud-trees.html
Cindy says
Thanks…I still didn’t find the answer to my question.
Do the seed pods fall and reseed causing any type
of invasive problem in neighboring areas around the tree?
ernest Moore says
Hi Mike I left you a msg.tex yesterday about my lavender twist thank you for getting back to me. I also forgot to mention that I’m in a zone 5 and there are a lot of dead branches on it again its seven foot tall and three feet wide branches almost reach the ground should I cut all the dead branches and shape it into a small umbrella like the picture of your tree again the tree is three years old and last year the tree had a lot of flowers this year half the tree had flowers on it again I hope the tree isn’t dieing thanks Mike
Mike says
Ernest,
I don’t think it’s dying, but it did suffer some winter damage. Just trim as you described and it should come back strong.
Marie says
Hi Mike
We wish to buy a lot of these Lavender Twist redbuds for our nursery, can you provide us with a source of small trees to pay a royalty to grow on and resell?
Thanks so much!
Martin Orlowski says
Mike , my redbud broke in half due to the heavy snow. Will it grow back any branches? I planted it twosummers ago. It was 5 feet tall last summer. Thanks.
Mike says
Martin,
Yes it will grow back. If you want it to grow single stem upwards from the break you’ll have to stake it and prune away competing leaders. If you don’t, it will grow multi stem from the break which is also fine.
Chris says
Hi Mike, I have a Lavender Twist that has some strong shoots coming out of the ground from the roots. They don’t seem to be weeping at all; is it possible that these are from the propagated root stock of a standard Redbud? After losing the top branches of the tree, causing a bad lean to one side, I thought it might be nice to twist the new growth up the trunk and have it fill out at the top to lean it all back straight, but perhaps this isn’t the best suggestion after all. Any ideas?
Joe says
Great video on training the rosebud tree. We bought one last year about 6′ tall and we just love it. Unfortunately last winter severe ice storm (Toronto) snapped the top…clean off but it flowered on the lower branches this year and we are ecstatic. It is now only 4′ tall, what can we do to make it grow taller?
Mike says
Joe,
Just place a stake and train one of the branches to grow up the stake. It’s as easy as that.
Nadia says
Hi there,
I planted a lavender twist last year while it was FULL of flowers. We had a hard winter and now things are sprouting but i only counted about 15 flowers compared to the hundreds last year. Is the tree sick? Is it transplantation shock? It looks dead from far but its not…
Amy says
I live in southeast MS and have had a Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud for several years. It has never bloomed or grown much since i planted it. What do I need to do to get it to bloom? It is receiving a shady morning but gets sun in the afternoon.
Dana Cathcart says
You and Ms Pam have an awesome yard . Really beautiful covered in snow too. We never get snow out here in riverside Ca. , heck we’d be real happy if we could get a substantial rain !
Dianne says
Mike, this tree is gorgeous! Do you know about how big around it will get? By the way, what in your opinion is the best way to get rid of moles?
Mike says
Diane, the Lavender Twist should have at least 6′ of space around it. The best way to get rid of moles in your yard is to treat for Japanese beetles. The moles are eating the beetles in the soil. If you get rid of the beetles the moles will leave.
Tina McLelan says
Love ya Mike ! Hope you had a wonderful birthday !!
Can I grow these in large pots ? I am in NC Zone 7b
They are beautiful.
Tina
Mike says
Tina,
You can, but plants are always happiest in the ground.
andrew_ysk says
Hii mike,
I bought your propagation book last time,
May i know how can i get ur lavender weeping willow when i am in germany ?
do you think it will survive here in Germany ?
anyway to buy from you from here ? that tree is amazingly beautiful.. i always want the other ornamental tree from you as well.
if possible, pls reply me to my email. i am eagerly awaiting for your reply.
Truly
andrew
Mike says
Andrew,
If you are in a zone that is similar to zones 5 through 8 in the U.S. the Lavender Twist would do fine. I can’t ship to you, but you might find one on Ebay. I’ve seen small ones there for pretty reasonable prices.
Karen says
I have a regular red bud…any chance of trimming it to “kind of” look like a weeping one? Had a lot of seeds from it last year…what about starting one from seed and trying to train it??
Mike says
Karen,
It’s unlikely that you will get any standard tree to mimmick a weeping tree. No matter what you do all new growth is going to reach for the sky. A weeping variety will not, nor can it. All they know how to do is weep. But you can grow more Redbuds from the seeds that you have.
Connie Roll says
Hey Mike Can I buy a twisted lavender weeping tree from you ???
Absolutely love it.
Thanks
Connie
Mike says
Connie,
Only if you come to Perry this spring. I have a few left, but not that many.
Marie says
Mike,
Just to let you know we are in Ct and there is no one local selling these trees. We would seriously like to buy a quantity of small ones if you could put us in touch with a good source.
Thanks so much, and just love your info here.
Gary
Mike says
Marie,
I can’t disclose wholesale sources here. If you have my wholesale directory there are sources in there, or ask in the members area. Our Backyard Growers Members area is awesome! Learn all about it here:
http://backyardgrowers.com/join
Marilyn Swanson says
I’ve always wanted a redbud tree but live in northern wis. Our winter temps are -20 to 20? Now we’ve had below 0 since nov. guess it won’t work for me, right?
Always enjoy your newsletters and advice. Thanks, Marilyn s
Alean says
Thank you for letting us know about this tree.Your Great Alean
donna says
The trees are beautiful, my favorite plant, tho here I don’t really have the
space for them, I have one, maple, that the people we bought the house
from had planted. Then it was nothing but a sapling about 6′ tall. Now
11 yrs later, it is a beautiful, pre-teen that comes to the 2nd fl plus part
way down our lawn. It was at the edge of my garden. Now that has been
enlarged to the point that the garden is more then 2/3 out past the tree.
Make any sense? It is getting more beautiful each yr.
Keep up the good work Mike. Tho I have your business info I still haven’t
done anything w/it but have learned alot from what is in it and your blogs.
I save ec one of those. I may get “inspired” to do something w/it one of
these days.
sincerely,
Rick Sheppard says
I have a large old redbud in the yard. can you propogate from clippings.-Just made 7 starting crates as per your email directions.Also have 2 plants i bought and planted last season-EBBINGEI ELEAGNUS-evergreen schrub with silvery green foilage and fragrant white flowers in late summer to fall. avg growth 8’hx8’w- When you go to sell your plants do you have some way to make and put on those plastic tags that identify what it is with a description- I’m new to your garden family and just starting at 70. I think what and how you are teaching is of tremendous importance. i save every one of your e-mails and have made a large 3 ring binder to categorize your information and publications for my reference- thanks rick
Mike says
Rick,
Redbuds are difficult to root from cuttings but can be easily grown from seed. Collect the seeds in the fall, remove the wing, soak in water for 24 hours, sow in a flat outside for the winter. When sowing cover with about 1/2″ of soil. Cover the flat with screen to keep the critters from eating the seeds. There are all kinds of options for making plant tags, but at first hand writing with a permanent marker works well enough.
Greg Nessa says
Mike, How tall with the Lavender twisted red bud get? Also, so you need to cut the main branch at the top to keep in in the 6 to 8-10 height? Lastly, who wide with this tree get?
Thank you
Mike says
Greg,
The lavender twist does not know how to grow tall. All it wants to do is weep over. Most are best if trained to about 7′ then allowed to weep from there. You have to trim them to maintain shape. Wide? Give enough room so it can get 6′ wide.
Baronet Kevin James Parr says
I now live in Northern Europe and although my garden and lawns look good winters here can kill all plants in winters hard. Down to 34Cel below. If snowing great but if not the earth freezes down to 2 meters over night. Summers reach 96 cel high regularly and summer lasts that way half the year.I am building a sort of Japanese garden and desire a nice weeping tree for about six feet back from the pond water bank. It need be no more than twelve feet high but only five across. The gum tree range looked good until I researched. Now Lavender twist and your article on this tree interests me but you have not said if it is hardy down to zone 7.. We have an old willow tree that is over sixty feet high at the end of a field near by. How about Lavender twist and if so where do we buy one?
Mike says
I’ve been growing Lavender Twist here in zone 5 Ohio for many years now. The past two winters we’ve been well below zero F. for days at a time. -21 F. this winter, -15 last winter. My trees have done remarkably well in these cold temps.
Howard Levin says
I have Planted a clematis vine beneath the red bud so far I’ve had no flowers any advice
Mike says
Howard,
Clematis roots appreciate a shade spot but the vine itself needs lots of sun to bloom.
Tommy Yates says
I love the weeping red bud lavender twist. Think it would make it in East Texas with a lot of care? Thanks
Mike says
Tommy,
What zone are you in?
Anonymous says
Hi Mike
Can this tree be started by cuttings. And at what age would the tree be when it would look good to sell.
thanks Larry
Mike says
Larry,
Lavender Twist is a patented plant, therefore it is illegal to propagate it with a license and a license it probably a thousand dollars. But it cannot be grown from cuttings and even grafting it is a bit tricky. Best to do what I do and buy small plants from a licensed grower, grow them on and resell them.
D. Frazer says
I have a beautiful pink redbud covey. It came from a nursery with just a small two inch curve at top. Is this the start to the weeping. You sAid to trim lower branches. How much. Many thanks. P.s. do these only grow from seed?
D. Frazer
Mike says
D. All of the new growth that comes out will weep down. You can allow the tree to weep all the way to the ground or trim it up. They do not grow from seed, have to be grafted.
Kay says
How about zone 10???? We are right on the split between zones 9 and 10!
Donna Sullivan says
I have to agree, Mike, that IS a gorgeous tree and the snow-covered pic is beautiful! We don’t see snow like that where I am in North Carolina (usually), not that I’m not gratefuI! I’m partial to weeping trees myself. Love hearing from you!
Kim says
Thanks, Mike. I have a redbud in my yard, but the blooms are short and not full at all. I thought it was due to “aging in”, but its been over 5 years now! Any special soil treatment? Where mine is its a bit sandy, also on a hill. I trimmed it last fall, to help force more blooms. I know they grow in my zone (Providence, RI), since my neighbor up the street has one.
Thanks for your information.
Kim
Mike says
Kim,
Go out there right now and do some root pruning. Take a spade and stick it in the ground as deep as possible all around the tree. You have to do this now during the winter when the tree is dormant, not during the growing season. Root pruning really does a lot to stimulate an establish plant that has come to a stand still. Root pruning stimulates new, fibrous root growth which allows the tree to pick up more nutrients.
Dee Smith says
Hi Mike! I just love reading your emails. You must be a funny and good person. How large does a weeping Redbud get? We are getting our first snow right now here in Westport,Wa. Thanks,Dee
mary says
I got a small weeping redbud from craigs list/ the landlord was gonna pitch it/the tenant put it on craigs list. I got it right after I had to cut down a mulbery tree that was coming down slowly in pieces. Where I planted the redbud had roots and brick down in the dirt so not very deep and also the site of a previous maple. I wonder if the roots will spread out sideways if they can’t get below or should I transplant in the spring? I read that they don’t like to be transplanted. I really love this little tree. I do have it staked.
Mike says
Mary,
This is a beautiful tree. I’d move it to a place where it has every chance of thriving. They do not mind being moved, but you have to do it while the plant is dormant, not during the growing season.
les whitehead says
Thank You very much, I enjoy reading your information and appreciate it very much. I would like to order some of those air layering devices that you demonstrated when they become available if you would be so kind to let me know. Thanks again and keep growing.
Mike says
Les, I think what you are looking for is http://airpropagator.com.
Debbie B says
Hi! I live in Houston, Tx. Your pictures are awesome! I was wondering if the lavender twist weeping red bud tree would survive here? It’s just gorgeous!
Mike says
Debbie,
It really depends on your zone. This is a tree that really needs a dormancy period so it can rest, I’m not sure if you have enough cold weather for the Lavender Twist in Texas.
Edward says
I have found that pruning weeping trees annually ( cutting back to 2 buds on this years growth – using 45 degree cut – after first frost removing any dead wood) thickens up the tree next year and stops it growing too large and out of shape. Not tried these but will do so later this year.
I was reviewing video on air rooting of plants – where can I get the black plastic(?) pods with the rooting medium ( the ones you use electrical ties to hold in place), Please ?
Mike says
Edward, you can get those here; http://airpropagator.com
J Finney says
Just a question or two – maybe three
When do you cut and shape this type of tree? Would a late in the year trimming affect the spring blooms? I also wonder the same thing about my weeping cherry trees and crab apple trees. We live I Ohio and would a winter like the one we have this year be too much?
Thanks and we appreciate the gardening tips.
Mike says
J. Lavender Twist is a vigorous grower and really should be pruned at least twice during the growing season. This is a tough plant that can handle cold weather, even a winter like this one. Same with weeping cherries, prune, prune, prune.
Fred says
I almost forgot to ask. What kind of tree is the largest one in your snow photo? Is it also a weeping variety? Thanks again!
Yvonne Angus says
Golden weeping Willow
Fred says
Hey Mike thanks for reminding us about the beauty of the LTWR tree. I will be getting one for my place for sure! And I’m lucky, my local nursery had some last summer, so I’m sure he will have more this summer. Also, I wanted to thank you and Dustin for putting out the new info./course on internet marketing. Can you tell me, will you be going over more info. in this course than you did in your previous course on internet marketing? I assumed probably so since this is more interactive. Thanks again Mike!
Patrick Cousins says
Mike, I love your posts and appreciate the knowledge you impart on all of us. I found this to be an interesting page about the origins of the Lavender Twist Redbud. The article mentions grafting but I was going to ask about propagating this tree from cuttings? Are most redbud varieties grafted?
http://lavendertwist.com/history.htm
Mike says
Patrick,
The Lavender Twist redbud was discovered and developed by a friend of mine, Tim Brotzman from right here in Madison, Ohio. This is a patented plant so it’s against the law to propagate it without a license. But that’s not a bad thing, it’s really tricky to propagate and does have to be grafted or budded. I just buy small trees from a wholesale grower, pay the royalty at that time, then I’m free to grow them on and resell them. Eastern Redbuds are actually fairly easy to grow from seed.
Cathy says
Love the twisted lav tree. We just bought a home in Delhi, Newyork. We would love to plant one of those not sure of the zone. Cathy
Mike says
Cathy,
You can find your zone here Zone map for the United States:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html
Zone map for Canada:
http://nlwis-snite1.agr.gc.ca/plant00/index.phtml
Martha Blevins says
I think I must have one of those trees. I have the native pink redbud. I also have one ( the darndest thing I’ve seen. ) My neighbor now removed was into landscaping. This tree was nearly 12 ft I guess and , It had been the last one to get picked.. It had taken a beating. Neighbor sad “take the tree do something with it, maybe you can keep it alive. ”
I brought the tree home planted it in a choice, good ground location. Guess what ?? It lived I have cut it back some to rid the damage. but, one side is pure white. The other side is a rosy purple. Starts out hot pink turns purple and then after about a week it sheds. Beautiful specimen. freebie worth a fortune !
Vickie says
I would like to buy your book, but want a hard cover not an ebook. How do I go about doing that..
Mike says
Vickie,
You can order my book here. http://www.freeplants.com/easy-plant-propagation.htm
Helen says
Very pretty tree! And a lovely form for all seasons. How old is the Redbud pictured?
Wonder if anyone has found it in the Seattle-Everett area.
Been enjoying all your emails and info.
Thanks
Mike says
Helen, I’ve had that tree in my front yard for about 8 years and it was probably 5 years old when I got it.
Arlette Bradfod says
Hi Mike, Love your e-mails but lose some. My question, Is the book that is pictured here an actual book that I can purchase, if I tried to print all the e-mails you send the printer ink would totally break me. I would be glad to pay whatever your price for the book is. My daughter and I love the Easy Plant Propagation . We are excited about starting our plants. The weather here has really not been to conducive to starting seeds in an unheated greenhouse. Our weather has been abnormally cold with freezing rain, sleet and snow. Keep up the good work with your show. We love it. Arlette Bradford
Tara says
Hey Mike…even thename of this tree sounds delicious.
I’m over on the north side of Lake Erie sort of…just nort of Toronto. Would one of thse survive up here?
Thanks
Give your donkeys a hug for me.
Tara
Janet says
I searched for and found this tree after the first time you pictured it. I love it, thanks Mike.
CINDY BISCORNER-MEAD says
I LOVE this tree!! I have always loved the Eastern Redbuds, but this one is absolutely gorgeous!!! I am definately going to check these out!!! Thx 🙂
Joan says
When you trim off the lower branches, I am assuming that you can start them again and gain several trees more from them. True or False.
Mike says
Joan,
That’s really false. For one the tree is patented and secondly it will not propagate from cuttings. It has to be grafted or budded.
ruthpappamihiel says
This Weeping Red Bud is absolutely gorgeous, how would they work in the S.E, I do have Red Buds that are doing quiet well here, transplanted from the Piedmont area, but not sure if it could take the heat here.
Thanks for all the info, you are great!!
Mike says
Ruth,
They do fine all the way into zone 8 for sure. If you have regular redbud there now, the Lavender Twist should be fine. That would be my guess.
Bob says
I live in Vermont which has recently been changed from a zone 4 to a zone 5. The weather hasn’t changed, and we often get temperatures of -20 or lower in the winter, but the “Experts” tell us that it is not a zone 5.
The plants don’t believe it. I have friends that tried a Rosebud tree. It only blossomed once before being killed by the winter. I doubt if it is worth the money to push mother nature with this.
Anonymous says
Mike all my plants were doing good, I had forsythias, azalias and other ones until 2 weeks ago. which I planted last fall. Pretty one evening as I checked them two days later they were dead all the way to the roots . what happened. please.
I live in northeast Georgia.
Mike says
First of all, you have to be sure that they are all dead. Right now just about every plant we have looks dead, but it’s not. They’ll be fine. You really can’t declare most plants dead during the winter. You have to wait until warm weather to see how they respond to that.
Yvonne Angus says
Plus, you just had some pretty severe weather for your area, with more coming now. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! Wait till all chance of frost is gone, then check to see if it is greening at all; then wait a couple more weeks before deciding it is dead!
Paul McWhirter says
Mike, Do you know if the Lavender Twist redbud could be grafted to a eastern redbud?
Jerry says
Another Great One of your numerous collection Mike ! A Zone 4 grower may have luck if they used some protection I imagine.. I live in Zone 3b..very close to Zone 4 line..but with our sometimes ‘very cold temps’..then are ever occuring ‘Chinooks’ we see..a very difficult area to try and ‘push it’ so to speak with many varieties ! We can be -20 and within 12 hours..be +10..with 50 – 80MPH SW Winds along with those extremes ! I have many shrubs that have winter die back every year..Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ does very well..so does any thing that has to be ‘cut back to ground level’ ! Only thing close to your ‘Lavender Twist’ in this area I have seen, is a ‘Weeping Siberian Pea Shrub’.. (yeck !) Never did like them ! Keep the ‘Great Info and Pics’ coming, Mike ! Its ‘almost Spring’ !
Jerry says
Here is an example of the next few days here in 3b..these temps are in Celcius..
Today, 10 FebruarySunny. Increasing cloudiness this afternoon. Wind west 20 km/h increasing to 40 gusting to 60 this afternoon. High minus 3. Wind chill minus 39 this morning. (-40c is -40F !)
Tonight, 30 percent chance of flurries before morning. Wind west 50 km/h gusting to 70. Temperature rising to plus 1(33F) by morning.
Tuesday, Cloudy with 30 percent chance of flurries in the morning then a mix of sun and cloud. Wind west 50 km/h gusting to 70 diminishing to 30 in the morning then becoming light in the evening. Temperature falling to minus 13 in the morning then rising.
Wednesday, Cloudy. Low minus 12. High +9.
Thursday, A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 3. High plus 4. !
Very tough on any Trees, Shrubs ! We can have a week of very nice temps, and a lot come out of dormancy..only to drop back to 40 below the next week !
Christel says
I love Redbuds, especially since they are the tree to remember the bombing in OK City. We lived in OK at the time and the building held all my information from immigrating to the US. It hit very close to home.
I try to plant a redbud wherever we live.
Thanks for all the information. We will be moving to Iowa this year and I’ll have to rethink my gardening again. But it will be fun. After we get settled I am planning to buying your plan and subsidizing our income with something I love to do.
Thanks again! Christel Cammack
joe says
HI MIKE can u tell me how tall the lavender twist gets and does it need full sun thanks JOE
Mike says
Joe,
The Lavender Twist does not know how to grow tall. Left untrained they’re pretty much just grow into a low mound. So in the nurseries they are trained to a height of 6′ or so, then from there they just grow wider and weep more. Shade? Some shade, but they really need some sun.
Karen says
I’ve been wanting to get one of these for a long time now, but the price has detered me. Mike, is this something we can add to our backyard nursery? Is it a grafted tree, and if so, is it grafted to Eastern Redbud stock? I would really like to be able to sell some of these.
esther says
I brought a 6 gallon lavender twist weeping redbud tree at Los Angeles, California. Half of the tree have buds and then they died and not single leave ever appear. Do they grow well at Los Angeles, in Southern California. I seldom see people have these kind of trees in their garden.
Please advise.
I am thinking of potting this dying one and then buy another one. I scratched the branches, the lower branches still have ” green part” inside, but the top smaller branches have brown inside pulp.
Where is your lavender twist garden? What part of Texas.
Mike says
Esther,
As long as you still have green tissue below the bark there is hope for the tree. Lavender Twist like all deciduous shrubs needs a dormancy period and needs to rest over the winter, so they may not do well in your zone. I don’t honestly know, but give it a chance.
Tammy Bonds says
Thanks, I was hoping to have another one to put in my yard.but thank you for your help!
Tammy Bonds says
I have a weeping red bud and there are little ones coming up around it , will they be weeping too?
Mike says
Tammy,
Your little seedlings are almost guaranteed to not be of he weeping variety. But you never know for sure. You’ll know, if they are weeping they’ll just lay on the ground and not grow upright at all.
Zulma Velazquez says
Thanks Mike – the pitfalls of living in the city.
Zulma Velazquez says
Can this be grown in a large pot?
Mike says
Zulma,
It could be, but plants really are the happiest in the ground. A potted plant needs winter protect and you have to keep them fed.
wayne says
Hi Mike;
Just planted a bareroot Lavender Twist about 5 weeks ago.
No budding yet.It`s alive(green inside).I water well
a couple times a week. Any way to jumpstart this guy?
Thanks,Wayne
Mike says
Wayne,
Not really much you can do but wait. Your tree was bare root. I suspect the plant dried out a little while be stored as a bare root tree and the buds were damaged. The tree needs time to figure out what happened, then make new buds. It’s frustrating, but there’s really nothing you can do. Right now fertilizer would surely kill your tree.
Good news is you only one tree. I have 250 in exactly the same state right now. Yeah, it’s frustrating.
libby says
can this tree be planted in zone 6?
muffy says
yes one is growing across the street from me in central new jersey
Clematis Kev says
Peg,
Redbud ain’t gonna make it in Lake Wobegon.
eric says
Hi Mike,
A long time ago I had a Variegated dogwood tree when I lived in Pennsylvania I received from a local nursery. I really loved this tree. I move to Delaware & can not find anywhere. The leaves were green with white edges & the flowers were white with pink edges… oh how do I get rid of cable grass. This grass takes over everything, grows even on my driveway. Thank you.
Please help me locate.
Sincerely,
Eric
Mike says
Eric, the dogwood you describe is probably Welchi, another is Rainbow Dogwood. Use a non selective herbicide on the grass, but don’t get it on any other plants.
Louise Gmitter says
Mike where is your nursey?
Mike says
Louise, my nursery is in Perry, Ohio but at the moment I’m really not selling any plants. Maybe next year. Still trying to put the nursery together.
Lois says
I love your posts too Mike…get some great ideas from you..appreciate it……
Susan says
I just pinned this from here. What a pretty tree! About how tall at maturity?
Mike says
Susan, because Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud is a weeping tree, it will only grow as tall as it has been trained to grow. So pretty much what ever height yours is when you buy it, that’s as tall as it will be. It still should be pruned for shape, if not it will just grow in all different directions, but not in an upward fashion.
Ernest Fields says
Mike
Many of these come out of Texas, I have seen Yellow, White and Orange flowering “Redbud” an they are very expensive. Most are standard “Redbud) type.
Christine says
Mike, I’ve been researching a specimen tree for a smaller bed in between the house and driveway and I keep coming back to this Lavender Twist Weeping Redbud tree. I was happy to find your video on how to train it to grow upright. I found a local, well respected nursery selling 3 year old trees that are about 6′ tall. ($80) I was hoping to have it grow up to 8′-10′ tall. Is it possible to train this tree to grow taller at this point? Or do you have any recommended sources to buy it younger where I can get train the tree myself, so I can get more twists and turns in the trunk area and stake it to grow taller? Thank you.
Mike says
Christine,
You can train it to grow higher it just depends on how full the head is now. If the tree has a nice full head, it’s going to look funny if you try and make it taller. You’d be better off with a smaller one that can still be trained if your need that kind of height.
Peg says
Mike, it this Lavender Twist hardy in places like centeral MN? I have a spot that is protected and gets sun about 8 hours a day. I have been trying to find something colorful and this tree fills that requirement and looks good when not in bloom.
Mike says
Peg, if you can find one in your area I’d give it a try. Does really well in zone 5, could probably tolerate zone 4 well enough.
Julie says
This is beautiful! I want one!!
Marilee Morris says
Must have! Love this!
Michael hill says
they are both very cool and i am going to start looking in the nursry as i have the perfect place for either or both depending on cost. but thanks mike your the best
christy waddell says
Very pretty! You will have to find a pic online to pin to Pinterest…can’t pin from your pics, or from facebook.
Lisa Burleson says
glad to see you also on pinetrest. !! I love your posts !
Gay says
Gorgeous. Where can I get one? Or two, or three . . . .
Mike says
Gay, you’ll have to find one locally more than likely. They can be pricey, $150 or more. Along with my Backyard Growers we buy them wholesale really cheap for small trees. I think I paid less than $10.00 for some of the ones that I have. I bought several hundred for my nursery at that price. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
April says
Spring Hill nursery has it in the newest catalog. I just saw it for $69