Riffing on a recent post from Steve at Portraits of Wildflowers, I’m enjoying my own celebration of the annual pink-n-blue spring happening. It was Steve’s post that reminded me that I do have a redbud tree and that maybe, just maybe, it might be loaded with blooms this year. This little tree has grown apace since the front garden shed its shady ways and began thriving in full sun after the removal of a large, ice-storm damaged Arizona Ash tree.

The plant seeded itself in this spot 10-plus years ago. It didn’t grow much and never bloomed, though the foliage certainly looked to me like redbud foliage.

Absent other clues, I just wasn’t 100% certain what it was–until last spring. Last March a few of the signature dainty pink flowers, hugging close to the limbs, appeared. Yes! A redbud tree! I was tickled pink!

Once the tree was exposed to full sun, it took off in height and width, and this spring for the first time, it is in full flower production. Blooms have appeared throughout the limbs, in concert with the unfolding heart-shaped leaves.

There are several kinds of redbud trees which grow here in Texas. I believe that this one is an Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, mostly due to its glossy leaves. There are a number of these trees in my neighborhood and there are several small seedlings in other spots in my garden.

As I’ve observed the blooms, tiny native bees seem to be the primary pollinators. On a breezy day, they’re hard at work, but difficult for me to capture in a photo.

The common name for this tree describes the red buds, before blooms open. But it’s the lovely shape, lush foliage, and sweet pink flowers that most people remember about this tree and its relatives.

Pink blooms and blue skies–spring has sprung!