Description
Rousing in mid-spring with a burst of pink, the eastern redbud is a guaranteed standout in your neighborhood. They are oases of nectar and will draw pollinators from far and wide. The flowers are exceptionally high in vitamin C and taste like a sweet pea- perfect for salads, baked goods, or jams. The young leaves and immature seedpods are similarly edible when cooked. The leaves are beloved by leafcutter bees, and the ripe seeds are eaten by songbirds and bobwhite quail.
Belonging to the legume family, these trees can fix nitrogen into the soil and are a valuable alternative to many invasive nitrogen-fixers popularly used in food forests.
Can handle a good deal of shade but will thrive in full sun, and prefers moderately wet to wet soils. They are typically found on the edge and in the understory of deciduous forests.
