I have two redbuds - one nursery-grown and the other one of those little sticks from Arbor Day. Both growing in mostly shade. They do tend to leaf out later than other trees with the flowers showing up first. My little stick has grown into about 20 ft and lives in the most sheltered area of my yard and lost half of the top during the winter of '13/'14. The nursery-grown one was over 20' tall and is probably in too much shade, resulting in thin growth. It got severely pruned by a tree company on behalf of local utility. The pruning, however, encouraged new branching growth which turned out great. It had only a few blooms this spring but maybe because the new branches are young? They can probably take more sun than where I have them growing - maybe morning sun? (which I don't have)
