Rising Sun Redbud

The Rising Sun is a chance seedling discovered in 2007 by Ray and Cindy Jackson of Jackson Nursery in Belvidere, Tennessee, while the nursery was rebuilding after a damaging late freeze destroyed much of their existing stock. The Jacksons identified the seedling for its multi-stage foliage color progression and partnered with Greenleaf Nursery, which introduced it commercially through its Garden Debut program around 2010. The cultivar is registered as Cercis canadensis ‘JN2’ and holds Plant Patent PP21,451. It received the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Gold Medal Award in 2012, one of American horticulture’s most selective cultivar honors. Parentage is an open-pollinated selection within Cercis canadensis; no intentional cross-breeding is documented. Note: a prior attribution to ‘John Pair at Kansas State University Research Station’ and Bailey Nurseries is not supported by the patent record or other primary sources consulted.

Rising Sun adapts to a wide soil pH range of 5.5 to 8.0, which is notably broader than most ornamental trees — this flexibility reflects the species' natural tolerance of limestone-derived and acidic forest soils alike. Well-drained conditions matter most; sustained wet feet trigger Botryosphaeria canker and Verticillium wilt, both of which the cultivar is susceptible to. Choose a site with good drainage even if the surrounding soil is clay, and amend planting holes with organic matter to improve percolation without creating a subsurface reservoir. Spacing at 8 to 12 feet gives the canopy room for the rounded crown to develop without crowding, which also supports airflow and reduces fungal pressure. Full sun brings the richest foliage color display; part shade is tolerated but typically mutes the orange and gold tones. Once established — usually by the second or third growing season — the tree handles moderate drought, making it suitable for gardens that receive supplemental irrigation only during establishment. Heat tolerance is high, placing it comfortably in humid-summer climates through AHS Heat Zone 9.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
AHS Heat Zone: 3-9
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil pH: 5.5-8.0
Soil Type: Clay, loam, sand
Soil Drainage: Well-drained
Water Requirements: Medium
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Heat Tolerance: High
Plant Spacing: 8-12 ft apart
How to Prune: Prune lightly after bloom in spring to maintain shape; remove dead or diseased branches promptly; avoid heavy pruning which invites canker entry

Rising Sun forms a multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub with a rounded crown, reaching 8 to 12 feet tall and equally wide at maturity — compact enough for patio planting, small courtyard gardens, or the shrub border. The branching architecture is naturally layered, with ascending primary limbs and horizontal secondary branching that presents the foliage in distinct color-banded tiers early in the season. This layered structure means pruning is mostly corrective rather than shaping work — remove crossing branches and any dead wood promptly after bloom in spring, since open wounds on redbud invite canker pathogens. Root architecture runs to a taproot in permeable soils, transitioning to horizontal laterals when subsoil is compacted or rocky; this adaptability supports establishment in a range of garden contexts. Foliage is deciduous, producing yellow to orange fall color before leaf drop. The bark on older stems develops attractive gray-brown furrowing. With no thorns, this is a family-safe tree for yards with children and pets.

Mature Height: 8-12 ft tall
Mature Spread: 8-12 ft wide
Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed deciduous small tree or large shrub with rounded crown
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Food Forest Layer: Sub-canopy
Permaculture Role: Understory tree; pollinator support; edible ornamental
Leaf Color: Multicolor — emerges apricot-orange, matures through orange, gold, and yellow to speckled lime green by summer
Fall Foliage Color: Yellow to orange
Thorns?: No
Attracts Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds
Life Span: typically 25-75 years

Rising Sun is self-fertile, producing viable seed without a cross-pollinator. Bloom runs from late March through late April depending on latitude and winter severity, with flowers emerging directly from bare branches and older wood — a trait botanists call cauliflory — before the leaves unfurl. The rosy pink to lavender-pink flowers are borne in dense clusters that coat the entire branch framework, making early-season impact substantial even on young plants. Pollination is carried out by native bees, bumble bees, and early-emerging carpenter bees, with hummingbirds also visiting regularly. Because the species fixes atmospheric nitrogen through root associations with Rhizobium-type bacteria, it benefits surrounding plantings while attracting pollinators. Companion redbud cultivars such as Forest Pansy or Royal White bloom in the same window and can be planted nearby to extend the visual interest of the spring display, though cross-pollination is not required for fruit set.

Bloom Season: Late
Bloom Window: Late Mar - Late Apr
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pollination Mechanism: Insect (bee) pollinated
Flower Color: Rosy pink to lavender-pink

As a predominantly ornamental tree in the Fabaceae family, Rising Sun Redbud produces flat, papery seed pods typical of the legume family — typically 2 to 3 inches long — that ripen from green to reddish-brown through summer and persist on the branches into winter. These pods provide ecological value: songbirds forage the small seeds, and the persistent pods add subtle structural interest to the winter silhouette. Beyond seed production, the tree is functionally edible at multiple stages. Flowers can be eaten raw in salads, pickled as a caper substitute, or lightly fried; the flavor is mildly tart with a slight floral note. Young leaves are edible and mild. Immature seed pods can be cooked like snow peas before the seeds harden. All parts contain saponins at low levels — poorly absorbed and readily broken down by cooking — which are not a practical toxicity concern at culinary quantities. The tree is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, making the edible harvest accessible in multi-species households.

Culinary Uses: Edible flowers eaten raw in salads, pickled, or fried; unopened buds used as caper substitute; young leaves edible; immature seed pods edible

Two diseases require the most attention: Botryosphaeria canker (Botryosphaeria dothidea) and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae / V. albo-atrum), both of which Rising Sun is susceptible to. Botryosphaeria enters through wounds and stressed tissue — time pruning cuts immediately after bloom and sterilize tools between cuts with 10% bleach solution. Remove and dispose of (do not compost) any canker-affected wood promptly. Verticillium persists in soil; avoid planting where tomatoes, potatoes, or other susceptible crops have grown recently. Adequate drainage is the most effective site-preparation step against both pathogens. Leaf spot (Mycosphaerella ceridicola), anthracnose (Gnomonia spp.), and powdery mildew (Erysiphe cercidis) are all moderately susceptible; these rarely cause serious damage on established trees but can reduce aesthetic appeal in humid conditions. Improve airflow by maintaining proper spacing and thinning interior branches. Remove and bag fallen leaves in autumn to reduce overwintering inoculum. Among pests, the Redbud leafroller (Fascista cercerisella) rolls leaves to shelter larvae; handpick affected leaves or apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when larvae are small. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) and two-marked treehopper (Enchenopa binotata) cause moderate foliar damage; kaolin clay applications deter feeding during peak periods. Scale insects (Parthenolecanium spp.) show moderate resistance — inspect bark in late winter and apply dormant horticultural oil before bud break if populations are detected.

Botryosphaeria Canker: Susceptible
Verticillium Wilt: Susceptible
Leaf Spot: Moderately Susceptible
Anthracnose: Moderately Susceptible
Powdery Mildew: Moderately Susceptible
Redbud Leaffolder / Leafroller: Moderately Susceptible
Scale Insects: Moderately Resistant
Japanese Beetle: Moderately Susceptible
Two-Marked Treehopper: Moderately Susceptible

• Site for drainage first: Botryosphaeria canker and Verticillium wilt pressure are reduced by selecting a well-drained planting location before any other consideration.
• Time your pruning cuts: Prune only immediately after bloom, never during summer or fall, so cuts have maximum healing time before the fungal-inoculum season peaks.
• Maximize foliage color with sun: Part shade is tolerated, but the apricot-to-gold leaf progression that defines this cultivar is most vivid in full sun; dappled shade typically mutes orange tones to yellow-green.
• Establish with consistent moisture, then back off: Water weekly during the first two growing seasons to anchor the taproot; once established, the tree handles moderate dry spells without irrigation.

Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:

1. Your location falls within the appropriate USDA hardiness zone for the plant variety (refer to our hardiness zone map).
2. You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.

If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital