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Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud Tree

Cercis canadensis 'NCCC1'
$14999
  • Out of stock
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Plant Size

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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

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Plant Highlights

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud Tree highlights at a glance!

Plant Highlights

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Cercis canadensis 'NCCC1'
  • Growing Zones
    6-9
  • Mature Height
    20 - 30 feet
  • Mature Spread
    30 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Shade
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Well Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Medium
  • Flower Color
    Lavender-Pink
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pruning Time
    After Flowering
  • Bloom Period
    Early Spring, Late Spring

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!

Customer Reviews

Based on 5 reviews
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M
Mijanou
Half Satisfied Customer

Purchased two Carolina Sweetheart trees. One is thriving, vibrant and overall looks amazing. The second one is smaller in size and not thriving.

Dear Mijanou,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your Carolina Sweetheart trees. We’re delighted to hear that one of your trees is thriving and looks amazing! At the same time, we’re sorry the second tree isn’t doing as well—it’s always disappointing when part of your planting doesn’t meet expectations.

If you haven’t already, a close inspection of soil moisture and sunlight exposure can often reveal neutral clues; Carolina Sweetheart can be sensitive to too much water or less light than ideal. If it appears stressed, giving it consistent watering (about 1 inch per week) and ensuring it’s planted in well-draining soil with full sun can promote healthier growth. Sometimes a slow-release fertilizer balanced for blueberries or fruit shrubs can help as well.

If you’d like, feel free to reach out with any photos or more details, and we’d be happy to help troubleshoot further. We’re committed to helping you get the best results possible!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

C
Cathy
Carolina Sweetheart Redbud

Received this tree a few days ago. It looks grafted at the base of the trunk. Maybe that’s what they mean by “cultivar.” Good size for the price but the color of the leaves are not what I was expecting or pictured. Hopefully the variegation will show up soon as the leaves age. The tree was packaged well and arrive in a timely manner. Overall a good tree.

Hi Cathy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback about the Carolina Sweetheart Redbud! You’re absolutely right—what you’re seeing at the base of the trunk is likely the graft union, which is common for cultivars to ensure optimal growth and desired characteristics. It’s great to hear the size met your expectations and that the tree arrived safely and promptly.

Regarding the variegated leaf color, sometimes new leaves may start off lighter or slightly different than the photos due to growing conditions and seasonality. Over time, as your Redbud becomes established and balances like sunlight and temperature settle in, you’ll likely see the charming variegation develop more fully. To help enhance the leaf’s vibrancy, make sure your tree gets plenty of indirect sunlight and consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering extremes.

If you have any questions or want guidance on caring for your new tree as it settles in, we’re here for you! Don’t hesitate to reach out—we love helping gardeners nurture their beautiful plants.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

C
Cathy
Carolina Sweetheart Redbud

Received this tree a few days ago. It looks grafted at the base of the trunk. Maybe that’s what they mean by “cultivar.” Good size for the price but the color of the leaves are not what I was expecting or pictured. Hopefully the variegation will show up soon as the leaves age. The tree was packaged well and arrive in a timely manner. Overall a good tree.

Hi Cathy,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your Carolina Sweetheart Redbud! You’re absolutely right—the “grafted at the base” part refers to how this cultivar is propagated, ensuring the best qualities from both the rootstock and the desired variety above it. It’s great to hear that the tree arrived promptly and was well-packaged to protect it during shipping.

Regarding the leaf color and variegation, many redbud cultivars do undergo changes as their new growth emerges and matures. Sometimes the colors develop more vibrantly after a few weeks or with seasonal shifts, so hopefully, you’ll start seeing the charming variegation you were expecting soon. In the meantime, keeping the tree in a spot with the appropriate light—partial shade to full sun—can help maintain its healthy foliage.

If you have any questions about care or want tips on how to encourage that vibrant characteristic, don’t hesitate to reach back out. We’re always happy to assist!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

K
Kathy
Rainbow Carolina Sweetheart Redbud tree, STUNNING!

Just unwrapped my new tree! WOW!!! It is gorgeous! Just exactly what I hoped for!! Thank you so much for the wonderful quality! What a gorgeous tree. I have given it water and put it in the shade to rest and get acclimated. It was beautifully packed. I am thrilled…Kathy Sandel

Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Rainbow Carolina Sweetheart Redbud tree! We're absolutely delighted to hear that it arrived as beautiful as you hoped and that the packaging met your expectations. Your care in giving it water and a shaded spot to acclimate is perfect and truly sets your tree up for a strong start.

If you ever have questions about its seasonal care, flowering, or any other garden tips, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We also have a helpful guide on planting and maintaining Redbuds available on our website that could offer some extra insights as your tree grows.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

K
Kathy
Rainbow Carolina Sweetheart Redbud tree, STUNNING!

Just unwrapped my new tree! WOW!!! It is gorgeous! Just exactly what I hoped for!! Thank you so much for the wonderful quality! What a gorgeous tree. I have given it water and put it in the shade to rest and get acclimated. It was beautifully packed. I am thrilled…Kathy Sandel

Dear Kathy,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your Rainbow Carolina Sweetheart Redbud tree exceeded your expectations and arrived in such beautiful condition. You’ve taken exactly the right steps by giving it water and allowing it to rest in the shade to acclimate; this will certainly help your tree thrive in its new home.

If you have any questions as your tree settles in or as it grows, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to offer guidance and support. Also, keeping the soil consistently moist during its first growing season will encourage a strong root system, and eventual bloom.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud Tree - Nature Hills Nursery - #2 Container Single Stem -

Carolina Sweetheart® Redbud Tree

From $14999

Growing Zones

6-9

Mature Height

20 - 30 feet

Mature Spread

30 feet

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Foliage Color

N/A

Fall Color

N/A

Flower Color

Lavender-Pink
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