Redbuds bloom across the county

The vibrant magenta flowers of redbud trees found around Central Texas are one of the earliest welcoming signs that spring is here.

Julie Rydell, host of the Taylor-based “Plow & Hose Organic Gardening in Central Texas” podcast believes that redbuds are a great option for local gardeners to add some color to their landscape and attract newly migrating hummingbirds.

Redbud trees are popular ornamental landscape trees known for their beautiful fuchsia- hued flowers and the large, heart-shaped leaves that are left after the flowers fade. Redbuds are smaller trees that thrive in little spaces, considered “understory” trees because they will continue to grow beneath larger plants. They tolerate some shade and reach as high as 40 feet, according to Rydell.