New Cercis on the runway

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Two new Redbuds will be showcased on the runway at the “Sweet Melissa Fashion Show” on Sunday, Jan. 9, at the National Green Centre in St. Louis.

PlantHaven represents the new Cercis varieties and are supporting Honey Creek Nursery who have entered Cercis 'Merlot' and 'Ruby Falls' in the Fashion Show. The new Cercis are from a 10-year ongoing breeding program by Dennis Werner of NC State University. Cercis 'Merlot' has glossy purple foliage and a tight dense habit and is a good tree for smaller yards. It has proven to be more heat and drought tolerant than C.'Forest Pansy' making it a good choice for the southern United States.  

The “Sweet Melissa Fashion Show” is a benefit for the Sweet Melissa fund which helps lung transplant recipients.