After considerable thought, I’ve finally figured a spot to plant the ‘Carolina Sweetheart’ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Carolina Sweetheart’, below). I’ve evaluated the ups and downs of planting this redbud for several months, and now I see it. Adding a tree in this cluttered garden involves many considerations, but this location is so simple that it should have occurred to me much sooner.

A large, green leafed hosta that annually struggles by late summer will be dug out and replaced by the redbud. It’s likely the hosta will be discarded, but it’s possible it could be planted at the forest’s edge. I don’t figure it’s worth the time to spray a repellent to protect it from deer, so it might not last long once it comes back into leaf in the spring.

Recent renovations to the house have dangerously led me to reevaluate areas of the garden. No doubt, there are parts of this thirty-four year old garden that are barely thought about until a spot must be found for a prized redbud.

But today, I will declare that this completes the collection of redbuds. Yeah, yeah, I know I’ve said this before, but until a new one comes along I can’t live without, I’ll struggle along with the dozen or so I have. The small area beside the driveway will now include three; ‘Carolina Sweetheart’, a weeping, red leafed ‘Ruby Falls’ (above), and my treasured, variegated mutation of the yellow leafed ‘Rising Sun’ (below). Other redbuds are scattered about the garden.

Is this too much in too small an area? Of course, yes, in most gardens. But not here. The criteria for fitting this redbud into the garden are, first, will it fit, not to quickly over grow the space? It’ll fit, or close enough. Second is sunlight exposure, which should be ideal to promote flowering and leaf color.

I expect the trio of redbuds tucked between fragrant yellow and orange azaleas will make this a favored spot in the garden for spring flowers and colorful foliage. And, I hope that this ends this costly reevaluation of the garden.