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The Judas tree is a rare plant that most Russian gardeners have not encountered. Culture has several names. For example, it is also called European cercis and European purple plant.
Why is Cercis called the Judas tree?
In the official literature, the tree is classified as cercis. Probably, they began to call it Judah because of its prevalence in Judea. Expert opinions differ, so there is no single answer to this question. In fact, the scarlet plant is called this only in Russia, and in other countries it is called cercis.
Photo and description of European scarlet grass
Cercis belongs to the legume family. The plant has dark bark with many cracks. Cracking occurs in all mature crops. Young ones have smooth and light wood. The average height of the purple plant is about 15 m. The leaves of the cercis have a standard ovoid shape with characteristic blackish veins.
Cercis has a spreading crown, which must be taken into account when planting near the house
Cercis or common purple grass prefers to grow in sunny meadows. It is resistant to drought, not afraid of direct rays, and does not get burned. The annual growth is small: by the age of five, the Judas tree grows to 140-160 cm. By this time, the first flowering of the scarlet tree occurs.
The tree produces fruits that are long pods. They can reach 12 cm. Each fruit contains 5-6 beans. Hundreds of such pods are collected from the Judas tree. However, they are inedible; cercis are more valued for their decorative qualities.
Frost resistance varies depending on the variety. Cercis can withstand frosts down to -15 and -30 °C. If you want to place a crop near your home, it is better to consider the most resistant varieties.
Interesting fact: Judas tree has healing properties. With its help, decoctions, infusions and ointments are prepared. Cercis raw materials have the following effects:
- strengthens the immune system;
- stabilizes metabolic processes;
- improves the condition of colds;
- increases the reserve of strength, restores energy;
- promotes the removal of phlegm from the lungs;
- accelerates wound healing.
The leaves, wood and flowers of the crimson plant have healing powers. The roots are not used for medicinal purposes. By combining decoctions and tinctures, you can achieve overall strengthening of the body. Among other things, scarlet grass attracts pollinators. During the growing season, the culture produces sweet nectar. Cercis is also used to prevent colds.
In Russia, the cultivation of scarlet grass has been practiced since the 19th century.
As you can see in the photo, during the flowering process the Judas tree resembles sakura. There are indeed similarities, but the plants belong to different families. If Cercis belongs to the Legume family, then sakura is included in the mixed group (Plum and Cherry family).
Purple flowers appear before the foliage completely dissolves - in March. Beginners sometimes mistake them for full-fledged leaves. A characteristic feature is the fruits. In the early stages, they resemble empty sacs, colored brown. Over time, beans ripen in them, which give them volume.
Where does the tree of Judas grow?
In Russia, scarlet is almost never found. It is cultivated in Mexico, the northern part of the USA, Central and South Asia, and China. Less commonly grown in Turkmenistan and the Caucasus. European scarlet can be planted in the Moscow region, as some do. In this case, the culture is carefully looked after.
How the Judas tree blooms
When Cercis blooms, bright pink bells are formed. They are combined into large bunches, which increases the decorative effect of the crown. The vital activity of flowers is maintained for a month. By that time, the purple foliage is fully revealed.
How to grow a Judas tree
Despite its rarity, Cercis is easier to plant than other crops. But it’s one thing to plant and quite another to care for it.
To decorate the garden with scarlet, it is necessary to maintain favorable conditions throughout the life of the plant.
Landing rules
The Judas tree loves sunlight, so the location should be open or slightly shaded. The soil is chosen to be alkaline, with good drainage ability.It must be limed before planting.
When the soil is prepared, dig a hole. Its dimensions should exceed the diameter of the roots of the scarlet plant. The base of the hole is filled with drainage material, on top of which a fertile substrate is poured (a layer of humus mixed with river sand). The Cercis seedling is placed in the center, carefully straightening the root shoots. The Judas tree is covered and moistened with water at room temperature.
Features of care
Cercis needs care, especially at a young age. For full growth, the following agrotechnical measures are carried out:
- feeding;
- watering;
- pruning;
- shelter for the winter.
At the beginning of flowering, organic additives are used. An infusion of cow manure will be an excellent fertilizer. By mid-June they switch to nitrogen-containing fertilizers. At the end of summer, minerals containing phosphorus and potassium are added.
The crimson plant is watered frequently. When the plant grows up to three years, the amount of moisture is reduced, thereby preparing the scarlet plant for independent life.
Adult scarlet plants are irrigated only in July, when the weather is hot.
Sanitary pruning is carried out 1-2 times a year. Frozen, tired, broken scarlet shoots are removed to direct the vital juice to the development of healthy shoots. Formative haircuts are carried out every few years.
In autumn, cercis is covered with a layer of mulch; you can use fallen leaves. With the arrival of frost, the tree trunk circle is insulated with spruce branches. In the south, winterization is not necessary, but mulching is encouraged.
Diseases and pests
Spider mites and aphids cause discomfort to the crop. Both insects take away the life force of the cercis. In small quantities they do not pose a danger, however, folk prevention is not neglected.
A young Cercis seedling is treated with a soap solution against pests
If there is an excess of liquid, the purple plant may develop root rot. In this case, the owner observes the following symptoms:
- leaf fall;
- stoppage of development;
- decreased immunity.
Bordeaux mixture is used against rot. The product is also effective against other diseases, in particular fungal diseases. The effectiveness of treatment increases in combination with copper sulfate. The affected scarlet shoots are removed with a sharp instrument, placed in a plastic container, covered with a lid and taken outside the garden. After this, the material is burned.
Reproduction of European scarlet
There are three ways to propagate scarlet: seeds, cuttings, layering. They are more often guided by vegetative methods, since they proceed faster.
In 2018, in the Krasnodar and Rostov regions, culture was photographed by visiting Europeans
Seeds
To propagate the Judas tree by seeds, beans are collected without signs of fungal infection or overripeness. They have a dense shell, which makes it difficult for the sprout to develop. Therefore, the raw material is placed in hot water to soften the skin. In 4-5 hours, the purple beans will be ready for planting.
Experts recommend carrying out work in mid-October. To avoid premature germination, do not water the soil. It is enough to mulch the bed, dig in the beans and cover with spruce branches.
Propagation of Judas tree by cuttings
Propagated in mid-autumn, using an adult shoot - at least two years old. 2-3 buds should grow on it. The sample is kept in a growth stimulator, after which the cercis is placed on a permanent site.
Late planting runs the risk that the Judas tree will not have time to adapt. The roots of the cercis plant will grow weak and will most likely die in the winter. When cold weather arrives, the samples are mulched and insulated with spruce branches.
By layering
Crimson can be propagated using layering. To do this, part of the root shoot is dug up, separated from the mother shoot and transplanted to another place. The work is carried out in March, when the Judas tree has not yet “woke up”. Cercis cuttings will be established by mid-July, allowing them to prepare for the coming winter.
Photos in landscape design
The Judas tree is grown as a single planting. In this case, the garden becomes much more beautiful.
When planting ornamental crops, Cercis will attract maximum attention
An adult scarlet needs free space. It is not planted near fences, buildings, or other trees. In such conditions, Cercis will not be able to fully develop.
Designers recommend locating scarlet plantings a short distance from the spruce trees.
Pink cercis flowers will emphasize the decorative nature of the site, while the conifers will not interfere with the development of the crop
Purple looks great against the backdrop of brickwork
It is allowed to plant annuals in the tree trunk circle of Cercis
Conclusion
The Judas tree is a prominent representative of the Legume family. It forms pods in which fruits grow. They cannot be eaten, so it is best to keep small children away from them. The culture is undemanding when planting.Cercis care can be called standard - watering, fertilizing, pruning and a little shelter for the winter.
