Y ou know that spring has sprung in Kansas when the Redbud trees are in bloom. Their flowers usually precede the white flowers of the Roughleaf Dogwood and the various wild plums. In the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas, however, Redbuds are often seen blooming the same time as the Flowering Dogwood, which makes a spectacular show. Redbuds are a popular choice for landscape purposes, so they are frequently seen in towns also.
Redbuds are an understory tree.
They are adapted to live under the canopy of the larger trees in a forest. They are usually less than 20 feet tall, although they can get up to 50 feet when growing in the open. The flowers of the Redbud have a typical pea-blossom construction. A central vertical petal, called either a standard or banner , is flanked by two more petals called wings . Below them are two more petals called keels .