Cercis
(from kerkis, a shuttlecock; a name given by Theophrastus to this tree). Judas-tree. ORD. Leguminosoe. Ornamental, hardy, deciduous trees. For their singular beauty, they deserve a place in every garden and shrubbery. When the trees have arrived at a good size, the branches are so thickly beset with flowers as scarcely to be seen; and the singular shape of the leaves--which appear after the flowers--makes a very agreeable variety in summer. The trees prefer a deep, free, rich, sandy soil. They are generally raised from seeds, which should be sown about the end of March, on a bed of light soil, in a gentle heat. The young plants will produce flowers in three or four years; they may also be propagated by layers, but plants raised from seeds thrive best.
C. canadensis (Canadian).* fl. red; pedicels one-flowered, rising from the trunk and branches in fascicles. May. l. cordate, acuminate, villous in the axils of the veins beneath. h. 12ft. to 20ft. Canada, 1730. C. chinensis (Chinese).* This recently-introduced species closely resembles C. canadensis in foliage; the pink flowers are larger SYN. C. japonica. C. japonica (Japanese). A synonym of C. chinensis.
C. Siliquastrum.* Common Judas-tree; Love-tree. fl. bright purple; pedicels one-flowered, rising from the trunk and branches in fascicles. May. l. simple, cordate, very blunt, emarginate, quite glabrous. h. 20ft. to 30ft. South Europe, 1596. In northern parts of this country, this fine species requires to be planted against a wall, in which situation it thrives admirably. The wood is very beautiful and veined with black, takes an excellent polish, and may be utilised for many purposes. (B. M. 1138.) There are varieties with flesh-coloured and white flowers.