Lavender Twist®

Cercis canadensis

Lavender Twist, also known as Covey, is an unusual Cercis with weeping pendulous branches, with a distinctive twisted or contorted form.

The spring blossom is borne on bare branches and is a pale lilac colour, contrasting with darker pink bracts.

The flowers are followed by a mass of large dull green heart-shaped leaves, which are so dense that the stem and branches are completely hidden.

In autumn the leaves turn yellow.

Lavender Twist cercis (redbud) trees for sale

All our pot-grown trees are grown for us to our specification by the Frank P Matthews nursery.

All pot-grown trees are suitable for planting out in the garden, some are suitable for growing in containers.

2-year pot-grown tree £97.00
Grown for us by Frank P Matthews nursery
In a 12L pot
Medium size (2.5m-3.5m after 10 years)
Out of stock
Sorry we have sold out for this season

How to grow

Lavender Twist can get quite tall for a weeping Cercis, up to 2m in the longer term. It may benefit from staking to achieve this height and to emphasise the contorted shape of the branches.

Because of the density of the leaves you may find that older branches in the centre of the canopy start to die back from lack of light - if so prune them out after the blossom has finished.

Lavender Twist is one of the more cold-hardy Cercis varieties.

History

Lavender Twist was discovered in the early 1990s growing in the garden of a house in Westfield, upstate New York, owned by Connie Covey. She sold the propagation rights to Ohio nurseryman Tim Brotzman who was intrigued by the unique contorted branches. When she later moved house he arranged for the tree to be transported to Ohio. It was registered as a distinct new variety under the name Covey in 1998, but is widely known by its trade name Lavender Twist.

Lavender Twist characteristics

Gardening skillBeginner
Attractive featuresAttractive flowersAttractive foliageAutumn foliage colourVariegated foliageSummer foliage colour
Growth habitWeeping
Height after 10 yearsUp to 1.5m / 5ft
SunlightTolerates shadePrefers full sun
PruningPrune after flowering
Site conditionsOccasional droughtFree-draining site
Flower colourMauve
Flower formSingle flower (5-8 petals)
Flowering monthMay
Leaf colourGreen
Leaf colour - autumnYellow
Leaf/Flower sequenceFlowers appear first
Annual cycleDeciduous

Similar varieties

What will it look like?

Illustrative example of a pot-grown tree of this variety as supplied. Approximate girth: 6/8cm. We try to keep all pot-grown trees down to about 1.5m as supplied, but some may be larger. Trees should reach their mature height after about 10 or more years.

This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 24-Jun-2022.

Pages you viewed

Cercis (Redbud) trees
Lavender Twist®