Bodnant is a form of Cercis siliquastrum also known as the Judas tree or the tree of Judea. The main attraction is the mass of deep pink / purple pea-like flowers in late spring.
The leaves emerge just after the flowers, initially bronze, then green over the summers, before turning yellowy-gold in the autumn.
Pea-like seed pods adorn the tree over the summer, staying on the tree into early winter.
Bodnant is a slow-growing tree which should eventually reach 3m-4m after 10 years, more in the longer term. It does best in a free-draining soil in full sun.
Keep it well-watered for the first few years, but once established Bodnant will tolerate periods of drought - it likes hot dry summers.
The species Cercis siliquastrum originates from southern Europe and western Asia, especially the eastern Mediterranean. Bodnant is a form of Cercis siliquastrum from a tree planted in Bodnant Garden in the Conway valley region of Wales in 1876 which has particularly striking blossom.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2022.