Mature Cercis Chinensis Avondale aka Chinese Redbud Avondale Options
(HS)Girth 6-8cm : Half Standard,18L pot, *Roughly 80-150cm clear stem, 30-60cm crown. SEE HALF STANDARD GIRTH COMMENT BELOW
(HS)Girth 8-10cm: Half Standard,18-25L pot, *Roughly 80-150cm clear stem, 40-80cm crown.SEE HALF STANDARD GIRTH COMMENT BELOW
(HS)Girth 10-12cm: Half Standard,25-30L pot, *Roughly 80-150cm clear stem, 50-100cm crown.SEE HALF STANDARD GIRTH COMMENT BELOW
(HS)Girth 12-14cm: Half Standard,25-30L pot, *Roughly 80-150cm clear stem, 60-150cm crown.SEE HALF STANDARD GIRTH COMMENT BELOW
140-180cm: Single stem, 140+cm tall, 12-15L pot, 2-3 years old.
60+cm : Multi-stem, 10-18L pot.
80+cm : Multi-stem, 18-25L pot.
100+cm : Multi-stem, 25-30L pot.
125+cm : Multi-stem, 30-40L pot.
150+cm: Multi-stem, 50-70L pot.
175+cm: Multi-stem, 70-90L pot.
*Heights are given as a very rough guideline and can have considerable variation based on species and supplier (each nursery experiences different growing conditions) It may even have been pruned before being sent out so we can only guarantee girth. Cercis Avondale is listed as a slow grower so may not achieve the rough heights listed. Trees over 5.5m may include a delivery surcharge based on location and species.
Once a mature Cercis Avondale is over around 200cm/4 years old then girth is the best measure of value for money. For every girth measurement increment e.g. 6-8cm to 8-10cm (roughly 12-18months growth), the canopy will be wider, stronger, bushier and the root system larger as it has experienced 12-18 months growth. You can notice larger root systems with potted versions because the pot size increases with maturity.
Multistem means several stems starting very low to the ground. Comparing these with the same age Standard and Half Standard, these are typically shorter as growing several stems takes more effort than one stem and the girth measuring system does not apply.
Standard and Half Standard means lollipop shape. There is a more clear stem with a Standard.
HALF STANDARD GIRTH
Sometimes, usually in busy periods, the grower may supply a tree that is borderline a size under due to honest mistakes e.g. measuring wrong place. If a partial refund is not a solution, please mention this at checkout otherwise we will treat the order as if it is.
Cercis Chinensis Avondale aka Chinese Redbud Avondale
An RHS Award-winning (AGM) deciduous tree that is a little unconventional in that it likes to give you the best part first. A bit like having pudding before the starter or a first date "nightcap" before the restaurant. The clusters of bright pink flowers will either make an appearance before or with the foliage in early Spring (late winter if Global Warming keeps increasing) and last a few weeks. If you want the flowers to come first, you can always pick off the leaves or just pretend they are not there. The flowers will develop into flattened deep purple pods or compost if you collect and pile them up. If you find the leaves and foliage are a little "misty" all year round then you have cataracts.
Expect the leaves to be relatively large and heart-shaped with a purple and red tinge as they emerge and then green in the Summer and yellow in Autumn. If the leaves are not relatively large, it is possible that all other trees in your garden are ridiculously huge. A popular tip for amateur gardeners to increase foliage size is to walk closer towards the tree. When you feel a tickle on your nose, that is the largest you can have the leaves.
Chinese Redbud Avondale is considered a good choice for growing in a pot, just remember that feeding and watering requirements are increased. It is considered a slow-growing tree so if you would like to see double or treble that growth then buy two or three more trees.
Expect a 10-year height of around 2.5m tall and 2m wide and up to double that in ideal conditions however manual pruning will keep it to whatever height you like. If you would like some automatic free pruning, set up a garden business teaching drone pilots.
Planting Cercis Chinensis Avondale aka Chinese Redbud Avondale
Suitable for planting in most well-draining soils but it is particularly noted as being chalk tolerant.
Tolerant of temperatures down to minus 15 degrees centigrade.
For best results plants in full sun and sheltered position so a nuclear bunker with the roof off is ideal. If you live in the South, mid-Summer might be a bit much for it so consider a partial shade position.
You can grow an Avondale in a container but you should read up on the many considerations. The minimum requirements are feed monthly in the Spring and water daily to every five days depending on pot size in the Summer. We suggest a minimum 50L pot size but preferably 100L or more. If you have strong winds, go for the biggest you can.
Pruning Cercis Chinensis Avondale aka Chinese Redbud Avondale
Pruning after flowering will help maintain a bushy and rounded shape; the tree that is, not the gardener.
Always prune out dead, diseased or crossing over branches in late Autumn or Winter.
Other information About Cercis Chinensis Avondale aka Chinese Redbud Avondale
If it is warm enough, the early flowers would attract the local insects, those on holiday or those here illegally.
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
