The Rising Sun Eastern Redbud Tree

🌿 The Rising Sun Eastern Redbud, scientifically known as Cercis canadensis 'The Rising Sun', is a cultivar of the Eastern Redbud, a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family. Native to eastern North America, this deciduous tree thrives in woodland edges and along riverbanks in its natural habitat. It's a beginner-friendly tree that adapts well to urban gardens and smaller landscapes. Here's a fun fact: Eastern Redbuds are one of the first trees to bloom in spring, often flowering before their leaves emerge, creating a stunning display of colour when most landscapes are still bare.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This upright, multi-stemmed tree develops a rounded to vase-shaped canopy as it matures. The leaves are heart-shaped and emerge in brilliant shades of gold and apricot in spring, transitioning to golden-yellow in summer and finishing with orange tones in autumn. The foliage has a smooth texture with a slight sheen that catches light beautifully throughout the growing season.
FLOWER DETAILS
The Rising Sun produces clusters of small, pea-like flowers in vibrant pink to magenta shades. These blooms appear directly on branches and even the trunk in early spring before the leaves unfold. The flowers have a mild, sweet fragrance and create an eye-catching display against bare wood. They typically bloom once per year in spring, usually for two to three weeks. To encourage abundant flowering, ensure the tree receives adequate sunlight and avoid heavy pruning, as flowers form on old wood from the previous season.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Full sun to partial shade; ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best leaf colour and flowering
💧 Water: Moderate watering during growing season (spring through fall); water deeply once weekly when rainfall is lacking. Reduce watering in winter. Water at the base to avoid wetting foliage
🌡️ Humidity: Tolerates average outdoor humidity; no special requirements
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with good structure; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH
🏺 Potting: Plant in ground for best results; if container-growing when young, use a large pot (minimum 20 gallons) with drainage holes. Transplant to ground within 1-2 years
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate growth; typically adds 12-18 inches per year. Reaches 4-6 feet in 3 years, with mature height of 10-15 feet and spread of 10-12 feet
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring; once yearly is sufficient. Use tree-specific fertilizer following package directions
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Seeds and seedpods can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed by pets. Keep fallen pods cleaned up around curious animals

WHERE TO PUT IT
Plant The Rising Sun in front yards, side gardens, or as a focal point in mixed borders where its spring blooms and golden foliage can be appreciated. It works well near patios or decks where you can enjoy the early spring flowers up close. This tree suits urban gardens, small yards, and landscape beds. Avoid planting in heavily shaded areas under larger trees, poorly drained locations, or spots with compacted soil, as these conditions limit growth and flowering.