redbud

Water your Redbud (Cercis 'Merlot') regularly throughout the growing season with 1 inch of water per week. The best time to water is in the morning, as this helps to prevent fungus and mildew problems. When the weather is particularly hot and dry, water every 5-7 days or as needed to keep the soil evenly moist. Remember that this is a shallow-rooted species, so water deeply and infrequently. In the winter, reduce the frequency of watering but make sure the root system does not dry out.

Redbud (Cercis 'Merlot') plants thrive in full sun, meaning they should receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. In addition, when designing your landscape, consider planting them away from taller trees and buildings to allow as much sunlight as possible. When planting Cercis 'Merlot', it's best to select a spot that offers morning sun and some afternoon shade. This is especially important during the hottest months of summer, when too much direct sunlight can damage the foliage.

Redbud (Cercis 'Merlot') should be pruned in early spring, just before new growth appears. Pruning should be light and focused mostly on dead or diseased branches. Thinning out of the canopy may also be recommended to allow increased light and air to flow through the branches. Be sure to sterilize your pruning tool before and after use to prevent the spread of disease. When pruning, remove broken, crossing, dead or diseased branches. Avoid taking off too much at once; try to keep the natural shape of the Redbud intact.