Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud Tree

Cercis canadensis 'NCCC1'

Nature Hills Nursery

Heart-Shaped Leaves Transform from Purple to Hot Pink or Variegated Green & White
Thrives in Zones 6-9
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies
Showy Purple, Pink Blooms From Early Spring to Late Spring
Perfect for Street Tree in Butterfly Gardens

$99⁷³

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Plant Size

#2 Container 3-4 Feet

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This Redbud performs best with at least six hours of direct sunlight. While it tolerates partial shade, you will notice the most vibrant pink and white variegation in the foliage when it receives plenty of morning sun and a little relief from the intense afternoon heat.
Soil: Choose a spot with well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you are dealing with heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound or add compost to the backfill to ensure the roots do not sit in stagnant water, which can lead to rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, provide about ten gallons of water once a week, increasing to twice a week during summer dry spells to help the root system establish. Once mature, the Carolina Sweetheart is moderately drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during high heat can cause the leaf edges to brown or "scorch." Keeping a consistent schedule ensures the canopy remains lush and the spring blooms are plentiful.

Pruning Tips

This tree blooms on old wood, so any structural pruning should be done immediately after the flowers fade in late spring. Focus on removing crossing branches or those growing at narrow angles to maintain a strong, open framework. Think of it like thinning out a crowded closet; removing the inner clutter improves airflow and allows light to reach the interior variegated leaves.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell to support the heavy bloom cycle. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. This late season growth is highly susceptible to winter kill and can weaken the overall health of the tree.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Fall Color/Interest, Thornless, Attracts pollinators, Heat Tolerant, Disease resistant
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	20-30 ft
Width	29-31 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Purple, Pink
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Cercis canadensis 'NCCC1'
Species	canadensis
Cultivar	NCCC1
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Wildly Colorful Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud

Vivid and Compact Ornamental Tree
Excellent Mushroom-Shaped Form
Four Seasons of Interest
Incredible Accent, or Shade Tree for Small Space Gardens
Brilliant Magenta-Pink Flowers on All Bare Branches in Very Early Spring
New Heart-Shaped Leaves Emerge Purple
As Leaves Age, They Turn Either Hot Pink or Variegated Green & White
Winter Interest
Stays Compact & Manageable
Modern Cultivar of a Native Tree
Disease-Resistant, Widely Adapted & Easy-Care

It's a good time to be a Redbud tree. Expert plantsmen are bringing incredibly ornamental cultivars of these beloved native trees to market.

They understand you may have a small yard, and must select trees that look great all year long. Everyone wants more color through blooms and showy foliage. Durability is critical, too!

You can't go wrong with the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud (Cercis canadensis 'NCCC1'). This svelte version of the native Eastern Redbud stays compact and well-balanced in your landscape.

Like its cousin Redbuds, Carolina Sweetheart® puts on an astounding spring-blooming display. The fluorescent purplish-pink, pea-shaped flowers cover all the branches, and can even grow down the length of the tree trunk.

The sweet, sassy blooms are so welcome after the drab days of winter. Best of all, they are a sure sign that you have the entire summer ahead of you.

But...Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud has another feature that is just as dramatic. A dynamic set of purple new leaves follows the flowers.

As the leaves age, they'll turn a kaleidoscope of rose, hot Barbie pink, maroon, white, and plenty of green and white variegated. The trees will change from week to week in a color explosion.

So you have a nice shape and happy spring bloom, followed by incredible foliage all summer. Those eye-catching leaves hang from long petioles and will play and dance in the wind!

Get yourself a hammock and stand to while away a lazy summer afternoon near the wide-spreading canopy. No need for a book, when you can study the shimmer and sway of the multi-hued leaves in the slightest breeze.

Rely on this amazing tree to grow into the focal point of your landscape design. Complement the foliage with blooming perennials that pick up on the many hues of the bold foliage.

Some trees just "have it" all and Carolina Sweetheart® is one of them. Add one or several to your landscape this season. You'll get a professional-grade tree, securely boxed and shipped right to your doorstep.

How to Use Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud in the Landscape

This standout selection commands attention. We recommend giving it a prominent position, so everyone can see it.

Plant them in a long row that runs along the length of your property (even under power lines!) Add one at the corner of your house to anchor your foundation planting.

Or, carve out a personal space in your backyard. Create a unique getaway that suits your needs, along with a meandering path to reach it. Allow a Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud to become a destination spot in your own "Secret Garden".

They are fanciful enough to shade a child's playhouse. Encourage your young one's imagination with the amazing leaves and plant your tree near a Children's Garden.

Honestly, they'll jazz up anywhere you place them.

Add more than one in a grouping to give some stylish gravitas behind your patio seating. You'll be tempted to match your outdoor pillows to your trees.

Have a berm or a slope? Use Carolina Sweetheart® as the largest design element, and add plants around it.

If you have a picture window, this is the tree to place as a lawn tree in a mulched planting bed. You'll want to study the fabulous colors curled up on your couch.

Dry the leaves between two paper towels pressed in a heavy book for a few months. When they are dry, arrange them on paper and get them framed to use as special artwork indoors.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud trees require well-drained soil but are adaptable to many different types of soil. Be sure to include a pack of Nature Hills Root Booster in your order. It will help your tree access water and micronutrients over its entire lifespan.

They'll need at least four hours of direct sunlight to color their best. In the hottest climates, it will appreciate afternoon shade.

Your tree will need a regular schedule of water if you don't get enough rainfall. Spread a three-inch layer of mulch on top of the root system to cut down on surface evaporation. Just be sure to pull it away from touching the trunk.

Redbuds are a bit slow to fully leaf out in spring, so please be patient with your young trees. Those multi-colored and variegated leaves are worth the wait!

Order your Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud today. After all, the man at NC State University who introduced it said, "There is nothing else on the planet like it."! High praise, but well-deserved!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud is a standout choice among redbud trees and joins our impressive selection of flowering trees and native plants that thrive in zone 6 plants, trees & shrubs collections. For expert guidance on selecting the right variety for your landscape, check out our #ProPlantTips: Best Redbud Tree Varieties & Care Guide which covers everything from planting to long-term care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud suitable for?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. This native cultivar adapts widely across most temperate regions of the United States. Plant in spring or fall for best establishment in your zone.

How tall and wide does the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud grow at maturity?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud reaches 15-20 feet tall and wide at maturity, maintaining a compact, mushroom-shaped form. This manageable size makes it perfect for small yards where you need maximum impact without overwhelming the space. Shop at Nature Hills for this colorful native cultivar.

Does the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. Like other Eastern Redbud cultivars, it adapts well to various light levels but produces the most vibrant blooms and colorful foliage in full sun. Plant in a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for optimal color development.

How much water does the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud require after planting?

Water Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud deeply once or twice weekly for the first growing season, providing about 1 inch of water total. This native cultivar is quite drought tolerant once established. Reduce watering frequency in fall to help the tree prepare for winter dormancy.

Is the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud deer resistant?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud is not deer resistant, as deer commonly browse redbud trees and their tender spring foliage. The colorful variegated leaves and spring flowers are particularly attractive to deer. Consider companion plantings of deer-repelling plants or fencing to protect your investment, available at naturehills.com.

When is the best time to plant a Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud tree?

Plant Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud in early spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. This timing allows the tree to establish its root system before facing summer heat or winter cold. Choose a spot with well-draining soil and give it space to develop its natural spreading form.

Will the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud survive in poorly drained soil?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud prefers well-drained soil and may struggle in consistently wet or poorly drained conditions. Like most redbuds, it's susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soil. Plant in areas with good drainage or amend heavy clay soils with compost before planting.

What is the mature size and shape of the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud for small yards?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud stays compact and well-balanced with an excellent mushroom-shaped form and wide-spreading canopy. This cultivar was specifically developed for small yards where space is limited but year-round interest is essential. Plant it as an accent tree or for light shade in tight spaces.

When and how should I fertilize my Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud?

Fertilize Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud in early spring before bud break with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. As a native tree cultivar, it typically doesn't need heavy feeding once established. Apply around the drip line and water thoroughly.

How is the Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud tree packaged and shipped to prevent damage?

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud trees are carefully packaged with protective root wrapping and secure branching support during shipping. The compact, well-balanced form of this cultivar makes it less prone to shipping damage than larger specimens. Upon arrival, plant immediately or keep roots moist until planting.