Purple Rain Redbud

If you are looking for a unique purple weeping redbud that stands out from Ruby Falls then Purple Rain is an excellent choice. Not as widely distributed as Ruby Falls, Purple Rain is a rare and more difficult to find selection. What sets it apart are the leaves and the weeping habit. The leaves have varying degrees and shades of purples and greens, while the underside of the leaves is more of a bright purple. The weeping habit of this redbud is out and down rather than straight down. This allows Purple Rain to take on a more umbrella like shape that Ruby Falls struggles to achieve.

Purple Rain is a purple redbud that will maintain purple/red leaves through the growing season. Like other purple redbuds, the depth of color depends on the amount of sun that the leaves receive. In full sun the leaves will transition to a deep green with brighter green veins. Like all redbud trees, the Purple Rain has captivating heart shaped leaves and small bright purple flower clusters in the early spring. Redbuds are hearty and disease resistant trees, and can tolerate a wide range of soil and light conditions.

Using Weeping Redbud in the Landscape:

Think of weeping redbuds as the Swiss Army knife of small ornamental trees—they're phenomenally versatile. Their compact stature makes them naturals for:

• Specimen planting where their distinctive form commands attention
• Small garden spaces, patios, and entryways where a touch of the dramatic is desired but square footage is limited
• Understory planting beneath taller trees, mimicking their native woodland edge habitat
• Pollinator and cottage gardens where their spring flowers feed early-season bees
• Borders and naturalized areas
• Small groups for a truly breathtaking spring display
• Slopes and challenging areas where their moderate root systems can help with erosion and the weeping form can be showcased by the elevation change.

Wildlife Value:

For such small trees, weeping redbuds punch well above their weight class in ecological value. The early spring flowers provide critical nectar for pollinators emerging from winter dormancy, including the southeastern blueberry bee (Habropoda laboriosa)—a specialist pollinator that visits redbud before blueberries bloom and resembles a small bumble bee. Native bees and bumble bees work the flowers enthusiastically.

Redbuds serve as larval host plants for 12 species of Lepidoptera, most notably Henry's Elfin (Callophrys henrici)—a small, chocolatey-brown butterfly whose caterpillars feed on redbud flower buds and young leaves from February through May. This early-flying elfin depends on redbud in its inland and Appalachian populations, making your weeping redbud an investment in rare butterfly conservation.

The flowers themselves are edible for humans and taste similar to snap peas, containing high amounts of vitamin C. Leafcutter bees (Megachile species) use the foliage to construct their nests, creating those telltale circular notches in the leaves, don't fear the damage as it won't hurt an established tree and is a sign of a healthy pollinator ecosystem. Hummingbirds and butterflies also visit for nectar. 

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.