Cercis

The plant Cercis, also called the scarlet, is a member of the legume family. The genus contains flowering trees or shrubs that shed their foliage for the winter. In total, experts count about 7-10 species living on the North American continent, in the countries of the south and southeast of Asia, as well as in the Mediterranean.

The name of the genus is associated with the shape of the fruits of its representatives - beans-pods with their seeds resemble a shuttle, a component of a loom, which in Greek is called "cercis". Cercis European is also called the Judas tree. It is interesting that this designation most likely arose not because of the connection with the biblical tradition, but from the modified phrase "tree from Judea" - it was from there that cercis began to spread throughout the countries of Europe.

Description of cercis

Plant varieties growing in different parts of the world can differ in external characteristics - height, developmental characteristics and color of inflorescences, as well as in the degree of winter hardiness. Cercis species have a long lifespan - about 60 years. Treelike forms can reach heights of up to 18 m. Both trees and shrubs are deciduous. Their young twigs are reddish in color and have a smooth bark. As it develops, it darkens and becomes gray or olive-brownish.

The foliage is simple, ovoid, with a smooth edge and convex veins. The leaves are arranged spirally on the branches, attaching to them with petioles. The leaf blades are up to 12 cm long and are supplemented with medium-sized stipules that fall off in a short time. Young foliage is colored light green and darkens as it grows, becoming yellow by autumn, less often burgundy.

Cercis reaches the peak of their decorative effect in spring. Before the leaves bloom, flower buds form on their branches, in the axils of the leaves and even on the trunk, turning into purple or pink flowers with 5 petals. They have a bean-shaped corolla and a bell-shaped cup. Flowers, resembling pink moths from a distance, are collected in medium-sized inflorescences, brushes or bunches. The flowering of cercis lasts about a month, ending with full disclosure of foliage.

After flowering, pods up to 10 cm long are tied on the trees. Each pod contains up to 7 shiny seeds. Such seeds also look very impressive on plants, acquiring a reddish color by autumn.

Brief rules for growing cercis

The table shows brief rules for growing cercis in the open field.

Planting cercis in open ground

The best place to land

You can grow cercis both in a semi-shady and in a sunny corner of the garden, sheltered from the cold north wind. Alkaline soil with a good drainage layer is suitable for the plant. You can correct the reaction of the soil by adding lime to it. Too heavy soil can be supplemented with sand.

Landing features

Cercis seedlings must be planted in a permanent place in the first year of development. The roots of such plants quickly go to a depth, so transplants are considered very traumatic for them. In the first few years, cercis develop slowly, sometimes completely drying out the aerial part in 1-2 years of life. All this time, the plantings take root, so do not worry if the young bush looks completely dry during this period. At first, the seedling can maintain a height of about 20 cm, but at 2-4 years of life it starts growing sharply and can grow up to 1.5 m in a short time.

Caring for cercis

The root system of cercis develops very strongly, going up to 2 m in depth and up to 8 m in breadth. Such a vast feeding area saturates the tree with moisture and necessary substances, therefore, cercis will not need regular watering and feeding. The plant should be taken care of only during periods of long heat and drought.

As a rule, with proper care, cercis practically does not get sick and is not affected by pests. Only sometimes aphids can settle on plantings, which are disposed of with insecticides. In the spring, the tree trunk should be whitewashed. Before flowering, the crown of the plant can be sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux liquid in a weak concentration - this will serve as the prevention of anthracnose. The root area of ​​young plants should be mulched for the winter.

If necessary, the cercis can be trimmed. The crown is formed in the autumn, shortening the shoots by no more than a third. Usually, young (3-5 year old) plants are formed, and then they are limited to only sanitary pruning.

Reproduction methods of cercis

Orchard cercis can be obtained from seeds, as well as cuttings or cuttings.

Growing from seeds

The beans that ripen on the tree can be used to propagate it. Before sowing, it is recommended to soften or break the dense skin of the seeds. To do this, they are immersed in a hydrochloric acid solution or doused with boiling water. Such procedures improve the germination process, making the path easier for the sprout, although sometimes they can germinate without additional preparation.

Certsis are immediately sown to a permanent place - in the garden. For the winter, crops are properly covered with dry leaves, spruce branches or a layer of peat. But thermophilic varieties of such a plant can only germinate in a mild climate - if there is no severe cold in winter.

Cuttings

Cuttings from the branches of cercis are cut in the fall, choosing strong shoots 2 or 3 years old. Each cutting should have 2-3 buds and a length of about 20 cm. Freshly cut parts of the branches are immediately planted in the ground in the garden bed, deepening by about 10 cm. Before the onset of cold weather, such cuttings should have time to take root, which will allow them to successfully overwinter. If the aboveground part of such a seedling dies during the winter, young shoots can grow from the root in the spring. If there is a risk that the cuttings will not have time to take root in the fall, to preserve them, they are sent to winter in a box with wet sand, and in the spring they are planted in the ground.

Reproduction by layering

Adult, well-developed cercis forms shoots in the root area. In the spring, such cuttings can be separated from the main plant and planted in the place where it will grow.Due to the presence of their own roots, such layers take root very quickly. During the first years of life, young cercis need to be looked after more carefully until they become effective - during this period they are more susceptible to heat, cold or bad weather.

The main varieties of cercis

Of all the varieties of cercis, European and Canadian species are most often found in gardening.

Cercis European (Cercis siliquastrum)

This species is highly decorative. Cercis siliquastrum is covered with bright pink flowers in spring. Typically, these plants are trees up to 10 m tall. Sometimes near such a tree, numerous basal shoots can form, turning it into a kind of tall shrub. The plant has a strong trunk and lush crown. It blooms in the spring and lasts about a month before the foliage blooms. By autumn, the green leaves of the tree turn bright yellow.

This species is considered thermophilic and is suitable only for cultivation in the southern regions - such a plant will not tolerate long and severe frosts.

Cercis canadensis

Due to its high frost resistance, this type is suitable for more northern regions. Cercis canadensis are trees up to 12 m tall. They have large cordate foliage, with a green color and a smooth surface on the outside, and a bluish color and slight pubescence on the inside. By autumn, the leaves turn yellow. The flowering of the Canadian species is slightly inferior to the European in splendor. Such a plant has smaller flowers, painted in a light pink color. Flowers can appear both on the branches and on the trunk in bunches of about 5-8 flowers. Flowering occurs in late spring and ends in early summer. The pods with beans ripen by August, continuing to stay on the branches for a long time - some remain there for about a couple of years. The Canadian cercis has several hybrid forms with double or snow-white flowers, as well as varieties with foliage of various colors.

Cercis chinensis

The trees of this species grow to a height of about 15 m. Cercis chinensis has large, heart-shaped foliage. Flowering occurs in May, at which time inflorescences-bunches are formed, composed of purple-pink flowers. Later, pods up to 12 cm long are formed in their place. The species is considered thermophilic and has varieties with white or purple-pink flowers.

Cercis griffithii

Central Asian species also found in Afghanistan and Iran. It may look like a shrub with woody shoots. Cercis griffithii usually grows up to 4 m in height, and in arboreal form - up to 10 m. It has a rounded, leathery foliage of deep green color. Tassel inflorescences form up to 7 flowers of mauve color. It will be possible to grow this species only in regions with a mild climate.

Cercis western (Cercis occidentalis)

American frost-resistant tree with a branched crown. Cercis occidentalis has bright green leaves and resembles a Canadian species during the flowering period. Flowers appear in May. By autumn, foliage may acquire not the usual yellow, but a reddish tint.

Cercis reniform (Cercis reniformis)

The species includes trees up to 10 m tall, as well as tall shrubs. Cercis reniformis is thermophilic. It forms small cluster inflorescences up to 10 cm long, located on short pedicels. The color of the flowers is bright pink. The foliage of the species is dark green, oval.

Cercis racemosa (Cercis racemosa Oliv.)

Another Chinese species. Cercis racemosa Oliv. is a tall tree with rich green foliage. By autumn, it acquires a yellow color. Flowering occurs in the spring. At this time, delicate purple flowers are formed on the plant, collected in large inflorescences-brushes. They are located on small pedicels or grow directly from the branches.

Cercis in landscape design

The attractive appearance and impressive size of the root system make the cercis an ideal saline plant. It is planted where the tree is not crowded and it can show itself in all its glory.Cercis shrubs can be turned into hedges. Such plantings also look good in combination with other plants, for example, conifers. But it is worth remembering that most conifers prefer acidic soil, while cercis loves alkaline.

Properties of cercis and its application

Despite the lack of smell in flowers, cercis is considered a good honey plant and attracts bees to the site. The honey obtained from this plant is considered rare, it has a pleasant taste and aroma, and also benefits the body. The kidneys of the European type can be used as a seasoning, and the beneficial substances in the foliage of cercis make it possible to use it as a remedy against tuberculosis: it contains useful flavonoids. The bark of the plant is also used by Chinese healers as an antibacterial agent in the treatment of wounds.