{"product_id":"judas-tree-cercis-siliquastrum","title":"Judas Tree Sapling - Cercis Siliquastrum with Pink Flowers","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJudas Tree – Cercis siliquastrum\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery spring, before a single leaf appears, the Judas Tree erupts in a breathtaking blaze of deep pink-purple flowers — blooming directly from its branches and trunk in a phenomenon called cauliflory. It's one of the most dramatic spring displays of any tree you can grow in a UK garden, and it's fully hardy too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat you'll receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e A healthy 6-inch seedling in a 5-inch pot, carefully nurtured and ready to pot on before planting out in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Gardeners Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpectacular Spring Flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e – Deep pink-purple blooms smother bare branches and trunk in April–May, before leaves emerge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdible Blooms\u003c\/strong\u003e – Flowers have a pleasant sweet-acid flavour; perfect for salads, garnishes, or pickling the buds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeautiful Foliage\u003c\/strong\u003e – Heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze-purple, mature to blue-green, then turn golden-yellow in autumn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully Hardy\u003c\/strong\u003e – Tolerates temperatures to -15°C; thrives throughout the UK including urban environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife-Friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e – One of the earliest flowering trees, providing vital nectar for bees and pollinators in spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact \u0026amp; Garden-Friendly\u003c\/strong\u003e – Reaches just 4–6m, ideal for small to medium gardens, courtyards, and urban plots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e – Drought-tolerant once established; prune lightly in late summer only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to partial shade; sheltered from harsh winds and late frosts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable — clay, loam, chalk, alkaline; prefers well-drained conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting time:\u003c\/strong\u003e November to March (dormant season) for best establishment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–6m height and spread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Typically begins flowering at 4–7 years; display improves with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully hardy to -15°C throughout the UK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhere should I plant my Judas Tree?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sunny or partially shaded spot with well-drained soil is ideal. Sheltered positions protected from harsh winds and late frosts give the best results. Adaptable to most UK soil types including chalky and alkaline soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen will it flower?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlowers appear in April–May before the leaves emerge. Young trees typically begin flowering at 4–7 years, with the display becoming more spectacular as the tree matures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAre the flowers really edible?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the blooms have a pleasant sweet-acid flavour and can be added to salads, used as garnishes, or the buds pickled. Rich in vitamin C and used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine for centuries. Always ensure flowers are pesticide-free before eating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate growth of 20–40cm per year once established. A manageable, garden-friendly pace that rewards patience with an increasingly spectacular display each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIs it suitable for small gardens?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely — its compact mature size of 4–6m makes it one of the best specimen trees for small to medium UK gardens, urban courtyards, and even large containers on patios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is it called the Judas Tree?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to legend, it's the tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged himself. It's also known as the 'Love Tree' thanks to its beautiful heart-shaped leaves — a far more romantic association!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill it survive British winters?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — fully hardy to -15°C throughout the UK. Young plants may benefit from fleece protection in their first winter. Late spring frosts can occasionally nip early flowers but won't harm the tree itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Akplants","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54950165315964,"sku":"AKP-TREE-JUDAS","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/9463\/2316\/files\/Judas_Tree.png?v=1766762353","url":"https:\/\/akplants.com\/products\/judas-tree-cercis-siliquastrum","provider":"Akplants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}