Cercis canadensis 'JN2' - The Rising Sun™ Redbud

Few would argue the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is one of the finest ornamentals among small flowering trees. Because of this, horticulturists have bred and introduced numerous cultivars (short for “cultivated varieties”) over the past few decades. This showy cultivar is called ‘The Rising Sun™.'

The flowering habit of the Eastern redbud is unique among trees with pink-red buds forming along branches throughout the entire crown (not just branch tips) in March and early April. These buds open to reveal pink-purple flowers in mid-April here in western Pennsylvania and last around three weeks. Redbuds are easy to identify when flowering as they appear to have a pink silhouette around most of the tree, even along thick, older branches. This trait is shared by both upright and weeping cultivars. As flowers fade, heart shaped leaves begin to form. Fall color is usually a modest but respectable yellow.

Discovered in 2006 as a chance seedling in a production field of Jackson Nursery in Tennessee, and introduced to the horticulture industry in 2010, ‘The Rising Sun™’ instantly became a hit. This cultivar boasts dramatic multicolor foliage with leaves emerge apricot-orange and then turning chartreuse. Chartreuse leaves gradually become lime green and ultimately a plain green as they are shaded by newer leaves. As leaves change from chartreuse to green, it's often done through a subtle but conspicuous speckling pattern. Unlike some chartreuse foliaged plants, ‘The Rising Sun™’ is also quite resistant to leaf burn during the height of summer. 

Flowering habit and fall color are similar to the straight species (that is, a "regular" redbud) but the vigor is somewhat reduced. For some, its slower growth is a benefit because the result is a generally smaller tree. However, site this tree in a location where it can retain its form and resist urges to prune or trim aside from stray or dead branches. A mature specimen is roughly 15-20 feet high and wide. 

Redbuds have been, somewhat unfairly, viewed as temperamental. The key to success, however, is understanding how and where the species grows naturally and how to site and/or mimic these conditions in the landscape. If a few conditions are met, Redbuds are fairly adaptable and easy to grow.

Eastern redbud is native throughout most of the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and central parts of the United States with Pennsylvania and Michigan occupying the northern limits of its range. It's generally found growing in the understory and along the edges of forests and woodlands, often on upland slopes in neutral to slightly alkaline soils (e.g., limestone). As an understory tree, redbuds prefer part sun when planted in our gardens and landscapes. They will, however, grow well in full sun if planted in the vicinity of other trees and vegetation. This helps moderate intense wind exposure and extreme temperatures. Avoid planting redbuds as stand-alone specimens in empty, exposed areas and site them away from surfaces that dramatically heat up in the summer months such as asphalt, cement, brick, and extensive river rock.

Despite the adaptability of Eastern redbud, we have found that ‘The Rising Sun™' is a little more delicate than other cultivars when it comes to dealing with environmental stressors, especially harsh winter wind (at least for us here in western PA). If you're unsure about the hardiness factor, consider the similar and more vigorous 'Hearts of Gold' or just the straight species instead.

Eastern redbud is adaptable to a variety of soils as long as drainage is good. They grow well in neutral to slightly alkaline soils - where they frequent in the wild - but they'll also grow in average acid soils that exist in most home gardens. They also grow well in clay soils as long as they don't accumulate too much water after rainstorms. As a member of the pea family, they colonize bacterium in and along their roots to foster and "fix" nitrogen. This trait enables redbuds to thrive in leaner soils. As such, you don't need to concern yourself with fertilizing. Once established, redbuds will tolerate dry spells (although a little supplemental watering during droughts is a good idea).

As a regular component of eastern forests and woodlands, Eastern redbud contributes a host of ecological services. The flowers are an important source of nectar and pollen for queen bumblebees in spring when they emerge from hibernation and begin to build nests. In summer, you may notice sporadic, circular shaped cut outs from the foliage. These are the handiwork of indigenous leaf cutter bees. These bees are solitary, nonaggressive bees that use these leaf cut outs to build tubular nurseries for their offspring. ‘The Rising Sun™’ provides these same ecological services albeit on a smaller scale due to its reduced size and habit.

Among three nicest specimens we've encountered is a pair planted near the event room and gift shop at Beechwood Farms in Fox Chapel. If you like native plants, environmental causes, and day hikes, this is a place you ought to visit!

Fun fact: many parts of redbuds are edible. Many opine that the flowers have a subtle floral sweetness with a slightly tart aftertaste. Developing seedpods, when they are purplish-green, resemble snow peas and can be similarly used in salads and stir fry.

If deer are a problem for you, we recommend you provide your tree with protection, such as a metal cage, until the tree is large enough to not be severely damaged. Once the tree is tall enough that the cage can be removed, protect the trunk with a trunk protector to prevent damage from buck rub from September through December. Tree guards are usually no longer necessary when the diameter of the trunk at chest height is 5"

Written by Plumline staff and not AI.