Cercis siliquastrum Tree

Renowned for its profuse display of small pea-like, pinky/lilac flowers on bare branches, Cercis siliquastrum is the only Cercis native to the Mediterranean. Providing it is planted in an open sunny position, it will flower in April-May almost as prolifically as it does in the Med.

A beautiful rounded medium tree or large shrub, Cercis siliquastrum will grow to 4.5 x 4 metres in 20 years. The leaves of the Judas tree are green and heart shaped, emerging after its flowers and turning to yellow in the autumn. Flowers are followed by purple tinted seed pods in July. Bark is a rich, dark brown.

Commonly named the Judas tree as legend suggests that Judas Iscariot hung himself from its branches. It will thrive on most soils, and is reasonably drought tolerant once established. A wonderful tree, siliquastrum is deserving of a sunny space in the garden and recommended as a plant for pollinators by the RHS.

AKA Judas tree

• Common name: Judas tree
• Height and spread in 20 years: 4.5 x 4 metres
• Environmental benefits: Good for pollinators
• Seasons of interest: Spring, Summer
• Flowers: Profuse, pink/lilac flowers
• Foliage: Green, heart-shaped flower that turn yellow in autumn
• Soil: Best planted in well-drained situations, but suited to most soil types

Planting Advice for Cercis siliquastrum

Our pot grown Cercis siliquastrum trees can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole, that is ideally in a sunny location. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.

Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.

We recommend planting Judas trees with a stake and tie kit. For single stakes, place the stake at an angle to avoid penetrating the rootmass and knock it in until it is firm. Use a buckle tie, placing the spacer between the stake and tree.

Aftercare Advice for Cercis siliquastrum

If you’re planting Judas trees in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Irrigation kits make it easier.

Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.

Pruning Cercis siliquastrum Trees

Cercis siliquastrum tend to grow with multiple leaders rather than one clear leader. Allow this to occur naturally for the best overall shape. If your Judas tree requires hard pruning, you can do this in spring/summer after flowering. Any general pruning to remove badly positioned or damaged branches should be carried out in winter.

Delivery Costs

*Free delivery promotion excludes mature trees, extra large kits and delivery to Highlands or Islands. Discount applies at checkout.

Delivery Times

Next Day Despatch
We will always try to get your plants to you as quickly as possible.  For many of our trees and plants, if you order today we will despatch your order within 24 hours.  We are constantly adding to our range of next day plants, and we do not add a surcharge for this service. Click here to see our next day delivery plants.

Standard Delivery
We have one of the widest range of trees in the UK, and for those plants which we cannot despatch next day we will normally despatch within 4 weeks. The despatch time for different products will be confirmed when products are added to your shopping basket

Pre-orders
We will only want to deliver your orders when they are perfect for planting! Depending on the season and how well the plants are growing, we will give our best estimates of the despatch dates for pre-orders.  These dates may vary and by species and while we will always try to deliver within these timeframes if the expected despatch does change then we will notify you by email.

Special Orders
Orders containing pleached or mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) are delivered within 3 weeks. They require specialist delivery and are grouped geographically. Any customers ordering pleached or mature trees will be contacted and notified of their delivery date.

If your trees are required by a specific date, please let us know as soon as possible; while we can’t offer any guarantees we will always do our best to accommodate you. You can leave instructions in the notes field on the Delivery Page of the Checkout or send us an email at [email protected].

Please note that orders are shipped once all the trees in the order are ready.

Collections
Collections are by appointment only at our West Yorkshire-based nursery. If you would like to place an order for collection, please get in touch before placing your order. You will not be charged a delivery cost for a collection and any delivery cost that has been applied will be refunded.

The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:

Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.

Single Stem tree: Classic tree with one trunk, pruned for a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.

Feathered tree: Branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Multi Stem tree: Two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Clump: Several plants in one pot that give the appearance of a bushy multi stem tree.

Climber: Naturally climbing plant. Usually delivered running up a cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.