Bodnant

Bodnant is a form of Cercis siliquastrum also known as the Judas tree or the tree of Judea. The main attraction is the mass of deep pink / purple pea-like flowers in late spring.

The leaves emerge just after the flowers, initially bronze, then green over the summers, before turning yellowy-gold in the autumn.

Pea-like seed pods adorn the tree over the summer, staying on the tree into early winter.

Cercis siliquastrum

Bodnant cercis (redbud) trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

Sorry we have not produced any trees of this variety this season.

How to grow

Bodnant is a slow-growing tree which should eventually reach 3m-4m after 10 years, more in the longer term. It does best in a free-draining soil in full sun.

Keep it well-watered for the first few years, but once established Bodnant will tolerate periods of drought - it likes hot dry summers.

History

The species Cercis siliquastrum originates from southern Europe and western Asia, especially the eastern Mediterranean. Bodnant is a form of Cercis siliquastrum from a tree planted in Bodnant Garden in the Conway valley region of Wales in 1876 which has particularly striking blossom.

Bodnant characteristics

• What level of gardening skill is needed to grow Bodnant?Beginner
• Which awards has Bodnant received?RHS AGM (current) - 2012
• Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive foliageAutumn foliage colourVariegated foliageSummer foliage colour
• Growth habitSpreading / Flat-topped
• Height after 10 years1.5m-2.5m / 5ft-8ft
• SunlightTolerates shadePrefers full sun
• PruningDo not prune
• Growth rateSlow
• Site conditionsOccasional droughtFree-draining site
• What colour is the blossom of Bodnant?Purple
• Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
• When is Bodnant in flower?May
• Leaf colourGreen
• Leaf colour - autumnYellow
• Leaf/Flower sequenceFlowers appear first
• Where does Bodnant originate from?United Kingdom
• Annual cycleDeciduous