Why Plant Vanilla Twist Weeping Redbud?
Our beloved native Eastern Redbud Tree—with a twist! Instead of the usual lilac-pink flowers and upright/rounded habit, this new selection of Redbud offers a refreshingly different look. When the warming days of spring arrive, clean white blossoms burst along its cascading stems. The bright white blooms really pop against the charcoal-gray branches. Pretty, heart-shaped leaves follow. Pluck a Redbud flower the next time they’re blooming, and take a close look. The blossoms look like tiny hummingbirds! In most areas, hummingbirds arrive too late to enjoy their nectar, though bees and other valuable early-season pollinators will gladly service the flowers. The blooms themselves are edible to humans, and they make a lovely garnish for a fresh spring salad!
Redbuds are red-hot! This classic American tree has been reinvented into all sorts of intriguing colors and forms in recent years, and people can’t get enough of them. Vanilla Twist is a fine new addition to the collection that is especially valued for its strongly weeping form and chalk-white blossoms. Nurseryman Tim Brotzman of Madison, Ohio, developed it by putting Lavender Twist Redbud (a weeping form) into a cage of bees with Royal White Redbud. The bees cross-pollinated the flowers, and Brotzman sowed the resulting seeds. He introduced Vanilla Twist in 2010.
How to use Vanilla Twist Weeping Redbud in the landscape?
Vanilla Twist Redbud makes a superb accent tree in the beds and borders surrounding your home, whether they’re in sun or shade. Plant it wherever you need a quirky focal point and a sweet spring pick-me-up. Sharp!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Vanilla Twist Weeping Redbud
Though it has gone through some cosmetic changes, the Vanilla Twist Redbud is still a native Redbud at heart (like the Redbuds you see in the wild) and is well adapted to life in many parts of the country. Give it a site in full sun or part shade. As for water needs, Vanilla Twist will have some degree of drought tolerance once established, but the leaves will stay healthier-looking if your tree is irrigated during dry spells and not made to fend for itself. It will not abide “wet feet,” however. You will need to stake the new growth if you want it to grow taller. Its natural habit it strongly weeping.
How To Water
Irrigate with the Bower & Branch Elements Watering System to deliver a steady supply of moisture to the roots during the critical first couple of years of establishment. Ruby Falls will be somewhat drought tolerant after that, but its foliage will look its best with regular water.
How To Fertilize
Redbuds like fertilizer! During fall, feed your Redbud Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer once a year for about the first 3 or 4 years - this will give your tree all the nutrients it needs.
How To Prune
Redbuds occasionally sprout "suckers" around the base of the tree, as they appear be sure to prune them off. But when it comes to pruning the branches of your Redbud -- don't be afraid! They are so easy to prune -- prune to whatever shape you like. If you don't want to touch it -- that's fine. If you want to cut everything off except two branches that look like rabbit ears, that's fine too (although you might get some weird looks from the neighbors -- and your family).
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
