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The Rising Sun® Redbud

$12995 $29995
Height

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your The Rising Sun® Redbud

Planting Instructions for Rising Sun Redbud

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Plant Rising Sun Redbud in USDA zones 5 through 9 in full sun to partial shade, with at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. More sun brings brighter golden foliage, while afternoon shade in very hot climates prevents leaf scorch on tender new growth. It grows about 8 to 12 feet tall and wide.
  2. Soil Preparation: Choose well-draining soil. This redbud tolerates clay and loamy soils and adapts to urban conditions, but avoid low spots where water collects, since redbuds dislike soggy roots. Adding compost at planting helps it establish.
  3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper, setting the root flare level with the surrounding ground. Backfill with native soil mixed with a little compost and firm it gently. Place it near an entrance, path, or patio where its colors can be enjoyed up close.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water deeply after planting to settle the soil. Spread a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to hold moisture, keeping it several inches from the trunk.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist during the first year to build strong roots. Once established, Rising Sun is drought tolerant and handles short dry spells well, but water deeply during extended droughts, especially in summer heat.
  2. Fertilizing: Feed lightly in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer, following label rates. Redbuds need little feeding, and too much nitrogen can produce weak growth.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Rising Sun resists most common tree diseases and is rarely troubled by pests. Still, check occasionally for leaf spots and for cankers or dieback on branches, and prune out affected wood with clean tools. Keep mowers and trimmers away from the trunk.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter to maintain a healthy structure. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce flowering and the colorful new growth that makes this tree special.
  2. Winter Care: This tree is cold hardy and does not require special winter protection in most growing zones. Water deeply in fall before the ground freezes, and protect young trunks from rabbits with a loose tree guard.

Additional Tips for Growing Rising Sun Redbud

  1. Spring Flowers: Clusters of lavender-pink flowers cover the bare branches in early spring before the leaves emerge, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
  2. Foliage Show: New leaves emerge golden-yellow with hints of orange and apricot, then shift to lime green and deep green. Because new growth keeps appearing, the tree often shows several colors at once, and fall brings yellow, orange, and lime tones.
  3. Design Pairings: Pair it with evergreens and ornamental grasses for year-round contrast. Its smooth, dark branches add subtle interest in winter.
What Customers say about the The Rising Sun® Redbud:

The The Rising Sun® Redbud thrives in Zones 5-9

Growing Zones for the The Rising Sun® Redbud

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the The Rising Sun® Redbud.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 5-9
Mature Height 8-12 ft.
Mature Width 8-12 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Cercis Canadensis 'JN2'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Full view of The Rising Sun Redbud tree with vibrant yellow, green, and orange leaves near a home with grey siding.

Beware- not all Rising Sun® Redbuds are the same.

Be sure to get superior redbuds, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" redbuds to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Rising Sun® Redbuds in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall redbuds in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

The Rising Sun® Redbud tree with pink blossoms and green leaves against a clear blue sky.

The Rising Sun® Redbud is a compact tree with color in nearly every season- pink spring flowers and glowing golden-orange leaves.

  • Lavender-pink blossoms cover the bare branches in early spring
  • Golden, orange and lime-green new leaves all season- often several colors at once
  • Compact size: about 8-12 ft. tall and wide for front yards and patios
  • Easy care: drought tolerant once established and hardy in zones 5-9

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Branches of The Rising Sun® Redbud covered in dense clusters of pink flowers.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "4-5 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!
Close-up of The Rising Sun® Redbud leaves, showing green, yellow, and orange heart-shaped foliage.

You Want Rising Sun® Redbuds Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak trees grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take longer to fill out and bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Rising Sun® Redbuds, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means your tree settles in quickly and starts showing off its spring flowers and golden foliage sooner.

Read more about the The Rising Sun® Redbud

Rising Sun Redbud – A Stunning Burst of Color for Every Season

The Rising Sun Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'Rising Sun') is a breathtaking ornamental tree that transforms any landscape with its ever-changing foliage. This compact, easy-care tree bursts into spring with lavender-pink blossoms before unveiling a spectacular show of golden-yellow, orange, and lime-green heart-shaped leaves. As the seasons progress, its vibrant foliage deepens into a lush green, providing lasting beauty from spring through fall.

Why You'll Love the Rising Sun Redbud

  • Dazzling Multi-Season Color – Enjoy pink blooms in early spring, followed by brilliant golden-orange new growth that matures to green.
  • Compact & Manageable Size – Grows 8–12 feet tall and wide, making it ideal for smaller landscapes, patios, or focal points in larger yards.
  • Low Maintenance & Drought-Tolerant – Thrives with minimal care, requiring little pruning and tolerating short dry spells once established.
  • Attracts Pollinators – A favorite of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.
  • Cold Hardy & Heat Resistant – Flourishes in USDA zones 5–9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.

Perfect Placement & Landscaping Ideas

The Rising Sun Redbud’s compact size and vibrant foliage make it a perfect specimen tree for front yards, courtyards, or garden borders. It also works beautifully as a decorative accent near patios, walkways, or entryways where its seasonal color transitions can be fully appreciated. Pair it with evergreen shrubs or ornamental grasses for year-round interest.

Easy Growing & Care Tips

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade (at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily).
  • Soil Needs: Grows best in well-draining soil; tolerates clay and loamy soils.
  • Watering: Moderate watering needed during the first year; drought-tolerant once established.
  • Pruning: Minimal pruning required; remove any dead or crossed branches in late winter.

Additional Details About the Rising Sun Redbud

Unique Foliage Color Changes

One of the standout features of the Rising Sun Redbud is its continual color transformation throughout the growing season. New leaves emerge a bright golden-yellow with hints of orange and apricot, adding warmth and vibrancy to your landscape. As they mature, they shift to lime green before settling into a rich, deep green. Unlike other redbud varieties, this tree holds onto its golden tones for much longer, making it a unique focal point in any yard.

Exceptional Durability & Adaptability

  • Thrives in Various Climates: Suitable for USDA zones 5–9, the Rising Sun Redbud can withstand cold winters and hot summers, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of regions.
  • Tolerates Urban Conditions: Unlike some ornamental trees, it adapts well to city environments, including pollution and compacted soil, making it perfect for urban gardens or street-side plantings.
  • Disease & Pest Resistant: While all trees require some care, the Rising Sun Redbud is resistant to most common tree diseases and is rarely troubled by pests.

Blooming & Pollinator Attraction

Before its foliage emerges, the tree is covered in clusters of lavender-pink flowers in early spring. These delicate blossoms attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it a great addition for gardeners looking to support pollinators. The blooms appear on bare branches before the leaves, creating a stunning contrast that signals the arrival of spring.

Best Uses in Landscaping

  • Perfect for Small Spaces: Its manageable size (8–12 feet tall and wide) makes it an ideal choice for courtyards, patios, or smaller yards.
  • Stunning as a Specimen Tree: Use it as a standalone focal point in your front yard, where its colors can truly shine.
  • Great for Mixed Plantings: Pairs beautifully with evergreens, ornamental grasses, and perennials for a layered, year-round landscape design.
  • Excellent Near Walkways & Entryways: Plant it near a front entrance, garden path, or patio where its colors can be appreciated up close.

Seasonal Maintenance & Care Tips

  • Spring: Minimal pruning is needed; simply remove any dead or crossed branches. Watch as its pink flowers emerge before the foliage.
  • Summer: Keep soil evenly moist during the first year to establish strong roots. Once established, the tree becomes drought-tolerant.
  • Fall: The leaves turn a mix of yellow, orange, and lime-green, creating a spectacular autumn display before dropping for winter.
  • Winter: This tree is cold-hardy and does not require special winter protection in most growing zones. Its smooth, dark branches provide subtle winter interest.

Order Your Rising Sun Redbud Today

The Rising Sun Redbud is the perfect way to bring continuous color, beauty, and easy-care elegance to your yard. Whether you're looking for a unique focal point or a reliable, low-maintenance tree, this variety delivers. Nationwide Plants ensures top-quality trees, expert care, and fast shipping right to your doorstep. Order yours today and transform your landscape with this stunning ornamental tree.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the The Rising Sun® Redbud

How big does a Rising Sun Redbud get?

A Rising Sun Redbud grows about 8 to 12 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. That compact, rounded size makes it ideal as a specimen tree for smaller landscapes, front yards, courtyards, and patios, while still standing out in larger yards.

What color are Rising Sun Redbud leaves?

Rising Sun Redbud leaves emerge bright golden-yellow with hints of orange and apricot, then shift to lime green and finally a rich deep green. New growth keeps appearing through the season, so the tree often shows several colors at once, holding golden tones longer than other redbuds.

When does the Rising Sun Redbud bloom?

The Rising Sun Redbud blooms in early spring, covering bare branches with clusters of lavender-pink flowers before the leaves emerge. The blossoms attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds and signal the arrival of spring with a striking display. It is one of the earliest trees to bloom in spring.

What zones does Rising Sun Redbud grow in?

Rising Sun Redbud grows in USDA zones 5 through 9. It withstands cold winters and hot summers and does not require special winter protection in most growing zones. In the hottest regions, light afternoon shade helps protect the colorful foliage.

How much sun does a Rising Sun Redbud need?

A Rising Sun Redbud grows in full sun to partial shade and needs at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. More sun generally brings brighter golden foliage, while afternoon shade in very hot climates helps prevent leaf scorch on the tender new growth.

Is Rising Sun Redbud drought tolerant?

Yes, once established, Rising Sun Redbud is drought tolerant and handles short dry spells well. During its first year, keep the soil evenly moist to build strong roots. After that, water deeply during extended droughts, especially in summer heat. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture.

What soil does a Rising Sun Redbud need?

A Rising Sun Redbud grows best in well-draining soil and tolerates clay and loamy soils. It also adapts to urban conditions, including pollution and compacted soil. Avoid low spots where water collects, since redbuds dislike soggy roots. Adding compost at planting helps it establish.

How do you prune a Rising Sun Redbud?

A Rising Sun Redbud needs minimal pruning. Remove dead or crossing branches in late winter to maintain a healthy structure. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce flowering and the colorful new growth that makes this tree special. Its natural shape needs little correction.

Does Rising Sun Redbud have fall color?

Yes, Rising Sun Redbud leaves turn a mix of yellow, orange, and lime-green in fall, creating a colorful autumn display before they drop for winter. In winter, its smooth, dark branches provide subtle interest in the landscape. It offers color in nearly every season.

Where should I plant a Rising Sun Redbud?

Plant a Rising Sun Redbud where its changing foliage can be appreciated up close, such as near a front entrance, garden path, patio, or as a front-yard focal point. It pairs beautifully with evergreens and ornamental grasses for year-round contrast.
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