This species is not widely available nor is it recommended for NC gardens. Please consider planting Cercis canadensis and its cultivars. The Giant Redbud's foliage is just as the name suggests. Ranging from 6 to 8 inches long, the leaves are the largest in the genus. The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word kerkis which means weaver's shuttle, referring to the fact that the seed pod resembles the size and shape of a weaver's shuttle used to move thread back and forth on a loom. The bark of young shoots are used in basket making. It will perform at its best when grown in soils that are considered calcareous, that is containing calcium carbonate and being of a chalky consistency. Minimal information is available about this plant, however, is most closely related to Cercis chinensis. Giant Redbud is distinguished by its much larger leaves and more rapid growth rate. Seed received from the Shanghai Botanic Garden was propagated and was formerly found in the gardens at the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University. That specimen which was removed in 2001, was a valuable source for seed. Propagation of those seeds have led to other specimens, one of which is at the US National Arboretum. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This tree can suffer from damage caused by deer. It will not tolerate being restricted by paving.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.