The Rising Sun™ Redbud
Cercis canadensis The Rising Sun (‘JN2’)
Mature Height: 10 to 12 ft.
Mature Spread: 10 ft.
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| Bloom Color: | Purple |
| Bloom Period: | Early spring |
| Fall Color: | Yellow, with shades of green and orange |
| Foliage Color: | New growth emerges orange and transitions from yellow to green |
| Genus & Species: | Cercis canadensis The Rising Sun (‘JN2’) |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate |
| Mature Height: | 10 to 12 ft. |
| Mature Spread: | 10 ft. |
| Soil Type: | Adaptable to many soil types, including wet soil, but prefers moist, but well draining soil that is rich in organic matter |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun, partial sun, partial shade |
| Zone: | 5 to 9 |
The leaves are the reason to plant The Rising Sun™. New growth comes in pumpkin-orange, then moves through gold and yellow before settling to lime green. Because the tree keeps pushing out new leaves all season, every branch carries the whole range at once: green near the trunk, orange at the tips. It's a cultivar of our native eastern redbud, and it won the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal in 2012.
In early spring, before any leaves appear, small pink-purple flowers line the bare branches the way they do on any redbud. Then the orange new growth takes over, and the color show runs from spring into fall.
At 10 to 12 feet tall and about 10 feet wide, it fits where a full-sized redbud won't: border gardens, flower beds, or a specimen spot in a smaller yard. We grow it at the nursery and have it in our own yard. Our favorite use is a group of three, underplanted with deep-green hostas, perennials, grasses, or ferns depending on the light. The leaves already carry plenty of color, so pair them with solid deep greens, purples, or pinks, along with dark mulch or hardscaping, rather than other variegated plants. If you want the same color on a bigger tree, look at Rise 'N Shine™.
It handles heat and drought well, and the foliage holds up in hot summers without burning. Give it full sun to part sun. It needs at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, because too much shade narrows the color range. More new growth means more color, so a slow-release fertilizer each spring pays off directly. We ship redbuds bare root and dormant. Plant as soon as yours arrives and follow our tree planting guide, which is also what qualifies your tree for our warranty. If you're in zone 5b or colder and ordering in fall, we can hold your tree in our cooler and ship it in early March.
Ray and Cindy Jackson of Jackson Nursery in Belvidere, Tennessee, found The Rising Sun™ as a chance seedling in 2006. They partnered with Greenleaf Nursery in 2010 to introduce it through the Garden Debut® program.
Awards
- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal, 2012
References
- Jackson Nursery, "The Rising Sun™" Redbud: http://jacksonnursery.blogspot.com/p/the-rising-sun.html
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Cercis canadensis 'JN2': http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=257370
- Kansas City Arboretum, Cercis canadensis 'JN2': https://kcarboretum.org/cercis-canadensis-jn2-the-rising-sun-tm
General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.
The Rising Sun™ Redbud
Soil quality and how to plant the Rising Sun Redbud
The Rising Sun, like most redbud trees prefers consistently moist soil that is rich in organic matter, but can do well in a wide range of soils. Soil compaction will restrict growth and should be addressed by digging as large a hole as possible. We recommend a minimum of 3x3 ft. and digging at least 18 inches deep to break up the soil. Remove the grass, but retain as much of the original soil from the grass clumps as possible. A higher quality soil can be supplemented, but use no more than a 30% new to 70% original soil ratio. Too much new soil can cause water to pool in the hole, which will drown and kill the plant. With redbuds, mulching is extremely important (especially in the early years) as it suppresses grass and weeds, retains moisture, improves soil quality and reduces the chances of compaction from foot or mower traffic. For more specific details on how to plant see our guide.
When to fertilize the Rising Sun RedbudThe Rising Sun depends on new growth for it to maintain it's spectacular appearance, so fertilizer is recommended for optimal growth. A soil test is recommend for accurate fertilization, but a general NPK + micronutrients slow release fertilizer will cover the basis if a test is not performed. We recommend a 10-11 month slow release fertilizer be applied each year as a top dress in the mulch around the growing area. Apply this fertilizer prior to spring, so that the tree has access to nutrients in the spring and fall growing periods.
How and when to prune the Rising Sun RedbudPruning can be a challenge for new gardeners, so unless you are experienced, we recommend limiting pruning to a few branches each season. Pruning can be done during the winter months, but will rob you of the newest blooms. Pruning can also be done in late spring, after the blooms fade. Try to focus on branches that cross into the tree or create a steep V as these can create rubs, restrain growth on the central leader, and lead to breakage. Prune branches that are lower to the the ground to allow for space under the tree for mowing and and a more tree-like appearance. Most redbuds will grow shoots around the base of the tree, trim these back as low to the ground as possible each season. I've seen shoots grow almost to the size of a small tree within a few months, so get them as early as you can. When pruning take care to prune branches when they are as small as possible and take no more than 1/3 of the branches from a tree in one season.
One of the taller branches broke off in the box during shipping but it’s already starting to grow just a couple weeks after I planted it! I’ve been looking for this tree for a year now and I’m glad I found a reputable company! I would definitely order from them again.
I love it. I was happily surprised by the size of this tree.
Leafing out beautifully.
Tree arrived on time as promised. It was well packaged. A little disappointed that the tree that arrived was only a single thin stick with no branches. Looks like a Charlie Brown tree. We planted immediately upon receipt and only now observing leaf buds.it is actually too premature to write a fair product review, have to give it a few more weeks to see leaf/branch development progress. Our local nurseryman commented that if we are successful in getting this redbud to grow that we will have a beautiful tree. He said he would like to carry the Appalachian redbud but he cannot get them.
I was waiting to respond when I had more to share. The 4’ (stick) :-) was received and instructions followed for planting. I witnessed only a few buds and now, after more than a month in the ground, buds at every intersection of bend, are popping out, showing me it is alive and kicking. Awesomely cool tree, glad I saw it last year (2024) at Blandy experimental Farm here in Virginia. I also appreciate you adding my name to the contact list and actually following up!
I received the “ stick“ of Heart’s Afire redbud the spring of 2024. To illustrate the beauty of this tree I have attached a couple of photos from this fall of this wonderful tree.
4 weeks
. Can wait til its full.highly recommended
Highly rec. I got the flamethrower and rising sun. both shippped dormant. 4-5ft Arrived safely and quickly. Althougn pricey both are healthy Flamethrower picture at 4 weeks since recieved. Lots of time trees I get online come half dead not really dormant and I end up having to save the tree. Very happy with purchase wish I had brought other trees b4 they went out of stock. Will be back for more.
Arrived in good condition, 3 weeks since planted, tree has appropriate new growth and leaf development.. thank you New Blooms from Jeff and Ruth
Redbud tree
So excited about this little tree and watching it grow. Moving into a new home so for now it’s in a pot till we pick the perfect spot. The red leaves are beautiful and I look forward to watching it grow. Great customer service and packaging!!
I had this tree in the past but somebody backed over it. It made blooms and beautiful leaves yet this one has made many more blossoms. I will keep an eye on it to see if it fills in well
I ordered 3 trees, two redbuds and all three plants arrived in great shape. Planting instructions were also very helpful.
New Blooms is the real deal. They send me a terrific Rising Sun Eastern Redbud Tree, and it was quick to plant and started growing right away. I've been scammed before by plant and seed sellers in the past, but my experience with New Blooms was great. Would highly recommend them to ship you your next tree or plant.
Tree arrived in great shape. Already budding
This is a favorite! I was having trouble finding this tree at the local nurseries. My last one was run over during a car accident.
The tree arrived so well packaged, it took a few extra days to arrive and not this company’s fault. As Travis assured my tree arrived healthy, it’s planted in a safer area of my yard. You’ll be pleased! Perfect for a smaller yard too.
Personal service....quality tree and packaging and planting instructions..Will be a repeat customer
Ordered and tree died first year.
Hi Beth, We're sorry to hear your tree didn't make it. That's never the outcome we want. We offer a warranty on all of our trees, and we're always happy to work with customers when something isn't going right — but we do need to hear from you during that coverage window, which this is well beyond, so we can help.
We don't have a record of you reaching out to us about this tree. If you'd like to get in touch, we're happy to talk through what may have happened and help you have a better experience next time.
— Travis
The tree came in great condition and had a nice vase shape. It is staring to leaf out. Can’t wait to see it grow!
Very healthy and cool tree.
Ideal experience ..arrived well packed and in great condition. But best of all was their communication. I knew exactly what to expect and when
Tree was in very good shape.
When the tree finally showed up it appeared to be healthy. It spent 2 weeks in the mail going who knows where, but that’s on the USPS. I got quick responses when trying to find what was going on. It’s a much nicer tree than I expected. Can’t wait to see it when it gets leaves.
Shipped appropriately and arrived in good shape
We planted them the day they arrived but no blooms or leaves yet
Travis was very helpful with choosing my specific tree type. The price point for the tree was reasonable, and while it came dormant (this is normal, and I knew about it before I purchased the tree) it has "woken up" with in a few days of being planted. It is growing quickly, so I believe that it is healthy. Shipping was delayed a few days, but that is no fault of New Blooms. I highly recommend them for your plant needs.
Arrived in great condition and already has some buds
Tree is getting leaf buds after a couple weeks. I recommend New Blooms.