Cercis canadensis 'Covey' Lavender Twist - How to Grow & Prune PLUS Cercis Species incl Judas Tree, by Now This is Gardening with JohnnyA on YouTube. 3 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil and shelter from strong winds. The weeping branches are easily damaged, and the tree only reaches about 2 m tall and wide.
Dig a hole a little wider than the root ball. Plant the tree at the same depth it grew in its pot, backfill with soil and firm it in gently.
Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil moist through the first growing season, then water in dry spells.
Spread mulch around the base to hold moisture, but leave a gap so it does not touch the trunk.
Look for shoots growing from the trunk below the graft union. Rub them off while small or cut them cleanly, since this growth comes from the rootstock.
Cut out dead, damaged or crossing branches with clean secateurs. Make each cut back to a healthy node or growing point.
Trim low-hanging branches that reach the ground, but cut each one at a different point so the canopy keeps a natural look.
Prune lightly after flowering in spring. The pink-purple blooms appear on bare branches, so cutting before flowering removes the display.
Tips and common mistakes
Never cut every hanging branch to the same height, or the tree ends up looking like a flat hedge.
Check the graft union every year and remove any strong shoots below it straight away.
Lavender Twist is grafted, so growth from below the graft will not have the weeping habit.
Avoid heavy pruning in one go and remove only a few branches each year.
Questions
When should I prune a Lavender Twist redbud?
Prune lightly straight after flowering in spring. This lets you enjoy the blooms on the bare branches first and gives the tree the whole season to heal.
Why is my redbud not flowering?
Too much shade, very dry soil or heavy pruning the year before can all reduce flowering. Give it sun, steady moisture and only light trimming.
Can I grow Lavender Twist in a pot?
Yes, its compact size suits a large container. Use well-drained soil, water more often than in open ground, and shelter the pot from strong wind.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
