Can't Find Western Redbud

Q. I want to plant a Western Redbud but cannot find one locally. In fact a local nursery told me they don't grow well here due to the heat. When I told him they occur naturally at Red Rock, he was incredulous. Any suggestions about how to obtain this tree?

A. Yes, it is more difficult to find and you may have to purchase through native plant nurseries. It is much tougher and just as beautiful as its eastern counterpart which is everywhere in the nursery trade.

It may be too late this year to ship to Las Vegas but you can give online nurseries like Las Pilitas

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/191--cercis-occidentalis

or start it from seed

https://www.etsy.com/listing/152741281/western-redbud-tree-cercis-occidentalis?utm_campaign=shopping_us_SmartSeeds_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=6728015&gclid=CjwKEAjwkq7GBRDun9iu2JjyhmsSJADHCD_HVOmKPfaGPgU89SXTH5yxpKX2PsFaYUoJQedUQ2n5DxoClxzw_wcB

Don’t put it facing south or west near a hot wall and no rock mulch and don’t let local maintenance companies prune it. It’s a showstopper.

Try Mexican redbud instead. A good alternative for dry, desert landscapes.