Cercis siliquastrumJudas tree

It usually has a short trunk or several main stems, developing a low, broad and irregular crown. The progressively twisted branching adds character to mature specimens, even in winter. It can reach approximately 6 to 10 metres in height and a similar spread.

Flowering takes place in early spring, before or at the same time as the leaves appear. The purple-pink, pea-like flowers cluster directly on the old wood and, often, on the trunk itself. This phenomenon, known as cauliflory, turns the whole structure of the tree into a flowering surface.

After flowering, rounded leaves appear, with a deeply heart-shaped base and a green to bluish-green colour. In autumn they may take on yellow tones before they fall. The flowers give rise to flattened pods, purplish at first and then brown, which hang on the branches for several months.

It grows best in full sun or partial shade and in deep, well-drained soils, adapting to different textures and pH values. Once established, it has good tolerance of heat and periods of drought. It is suited to small gardens, courtyards, entrances, squares, parks and Mediterranean compositions, on its own or in small groups.

In mature specimens from Diaplant, the presence of mature wood significantly increases the impact of the flowering, since the flowers appear precisely on the oldest branches and on the trunk. The already formed crown, the expressive branching and the abundance of flowering points make it possible to bring in immediately a spring event that a young plant would take years to achieve.