Habitat

• native to the southeastern and central United States, from New Jersey south
• hardy to zone 5 and protected, warm parts of 4
• proper choice of genetic material is necessary for success in zone 5 and colder

Habit and Form

• a small, deciduous tree
• 20' to 30' tall
• 25' to 35' wide
• shape is rounded to broad and flat-topped
• branching is upright and spreading to irregular
• main trunk is short, dividing into several large branches close to the ground

Summer Foliage

• alternately-arranged, simple leaves
• wide, heart-shaped leaves
• leaves are 3" to 5" long and wide
• leaves emerge bright green tinged red and mature to a dark green
• stems have a zigzag growth pattern

Autumn Foliage

• color is yellow-green
• can be a showy, bright yellow on some plants in some years

Flowers

• very showy
• small, purplish-pink pea-like flowers
• numerous and appearing before the foliage
• bloom time is late April to early may
• in clusters of 4 to 8
• often are borne directly on old branches and trunks as well as younger branches
• trees bloom heavily at a young age

Fruit

• flattened legume pods
• 2" to 3" long
• changes from green to dark brown in October
• often numerous and persistent
• possibly a detraction

Bark

• bark on stems is glabrous and reddish-brown to dark brown
• older branches have a scaly dark brown bark that exfoliates some to reveal orangish inner bark
• somewhat ornamentally appealing, especially when coupled with the branching habit

Culture

• full sun to light shade
• likes a moist, well-drained, soil, but is adaptable to most soils that are not permanently wet
• avoid very dry and hot locations
• transplant young trees for best success

Landscape Use

• lawn tree
• specimen
• for small residences
• for showy spring flowering
• naturalized or woodland plantings
• works well in small groupings or groves
• patio tree

Liabilities

• lack of cold hardiness if proper genetic material isn't used
• twig kill and dieback in zones 5 and 4
• wood can be brittle with trees splitting at crotches
• persistent fruits can be objectionable
• canker
• tends to be short-lived, especially when exposed to chronic stresses

ID Features

• zigzag stem growth
• heart-shaped leaves
• numerous rosy-pink pea-like flowers
• short main trunk
• scaly dark brown bark with orange inner bark
• broad rounded to flat-topped shape when mature
• persistent legume pod fruits
• flower buds stalked and in clusters

Propagation

• by seed
• cultivars are bud grafted or micropropagated

Cultivars/Varieties

'Alba' and 'Royal White' - Two forms with white flowers and foliage that lacks any purplish pigmentation as it emerges. Otherwise similar to the species in size and habit.

'Covey' (Lavender Twist™) - A weeping form that has stiff, contorted, arching branches.

'Forest Pansy' - A very showy cultivar where the foliage emerges a vivid burgundy color. As the foliage matures the underside of the leaves remains purple-red and the upperside turns dark green. Flowers are more purple than the species. This cultivar may not be reliably hardy below -10 to -15^oF, although hardiness information is somewhat conflicting.

'Pinkbud', 'Withers Pink Charm' and 'Rubye Atkinson' - Forms that are similar to the species except that the flowers are clear pink. This flower color may be easier to combine with other colors in the landscape.

'Silver Cloud' - Has variegated foliage that is irregularly blotched and splashed with white. Green reversions occur and must be removed. Benefits from shading and a cool location. Does not flower heavily. A specimen or curiosity plant.

ssp. texensis 'Oklahoma' - Flowers are a deep wine-red. Leaves are thick, leathery, lustrous and have a wavy margin. Habit is more dense and compact than the species. Not reliably hardy in areas colder than zone 6.

ssp. texensis 'Traveller' - A weeping form that forms a mound only 5' tall and wider. Probably not hardy in areas north of zone 6.