Rising Sun™ Redbud Tree

Cercis canadensis 'JN2'

Nature Hills Nursery

Sunrise Foliage Transformation: Yellow-Apricot Leaves Mature to Orange and Lime Green for Season-Long Color
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 10-12 ft Tall, 8-10 ft Wide
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies
Stunning Yellow, Gold Fall Foliage

$113⁶⁷

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for the best foliage color. While it handles heat well, providing afternoon shade in hotter climates helps prevent the vibrant gold leaf edges from scorching.
Soil: It prefers moist, well drained soil but is adaptable to many types, including clay. If you have heavy clay that stays wet, plant the root ball slightly high in a "mound" to ensure the roots can breathe and avoid rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide 10 to 15 gallons of water per week to help the root system establish deep into the soil. Once mature, the Rising Sun Redbud is quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent watering during extreme heat can lead to smaller leaves or early leaf drop. Aim for a deep soak at the base of the tree rather than frequent light sprinkles to encourage a resilient root structure.

Pruning Tips

Prune your Redbud in late spring immediately after the flowers have faded because this tree blooms on old wood, meaning it sets next year's buds during the summer. Focus on removing dead wood or any crossing branches that rub against each other to maintain a clean, open canopy. Think of it like a strategic thinning that allows more light and air to reach the center of the tree, which keeps the unique heart shaped leaves healthy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring before the new growth begins to support the intense color transition from apricot to lime green. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This prevents unnecessary winter dieback and keeps the tree's energy focused on its spring floral display.

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, Native, Flowering, Heat Tolerant, Thornless, Attracts pollinators
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	10-12 ft
Width	8-10 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Purple, Pink
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Cercis canadensis 'JN2'
Species	canadensis
Cultivar	JN2
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Dayglo Color Blend Rising Sun™ Redbud

Amazing Pop of Color in Your Landscape
Extraordinarily Ornamental Tree
Bright Pink-Purple, Abundant Pea-Shaped Blooms in Spring
Excellent Nectar Source for Butterflies
New Leaves Emerge Sunny Yellow-Apricot and Mature to Orange and Lime Green
Multiple Colors of Foliage Appear on the Tree at the Same Time
Heart-Shaped Leaves Stay Bold and Colorful for a Long Time in Summer
Horizontal Branches Arch Upward at the Ends
Winter Interest
Remains Compact Overall
Disease-Resistant, Widely Adapted & Easy-Care

Love every season with the outstanding ornamental display of Rising Sun™ Redbud Tree (Cercis canadensis 'JN2'). Especially in smaller yards, you really need a "superstar" to make your landscape design work for you.

Rising Sun™ Redbud easily plays the starring role to give you what you really want in flowering trees. It also happens to be one tough customer that resists heat and leaf scorch. It is easy care, colorful, and compact.

Of course, you choose Redbud trees for the power ballad of their spring flower display. Rising Sun doesn't disappoint, with weeks of electric pink-purple, pea-shaped flowers held all along the bare branches in early spring.

The earliest butterflies of the season will come in groups to feast on the rich nectar source. This special cultivar of a native Redbud will become a hot gathering spot for your beneficial neighborhood pollinators.

For the next act, Rising Sun™ Redbud foliage may take a while to emerge after the flowers. Be grateful, it's not dead. Instead, it's just waiting for the anticipation to build.

You'll be starstruck by the new heart-shaped leaves. They deliver a kaleidoscope of color, emerging a highly pigmented deep apricot-laden marmalade.

As the beat of your spring goes on, the foliage develops into a quietly riotous mix of sunshine yellow, acid shades of orange-gold, and apricot. Yes, you'll see all those amazing technicolors at the same time on a single tree.

The effect is amplified with gentle motion. Each leaf hangs from a long petiole and you know they will sway, skip, and move in every windy city.

For summer, you'll love the hue of the mature leaves. It's an energetic, sublime lime green that gets your motor running.

Even the small, compact form is showy. Spreading branches grow nearly straight out from the trunk, then graciously dip down and arch back up again at the ends.

It will look great in winter, spring, summer and fall. Call on Rising Sun™ for a spectacular, small-scale focal point in any yard.

Your landscape needs the funky vibe Rising Sun™ gives up. It's a solid gold choice, for a platinum-level focal point in your landscape. Order Rising Sun Redbud trees now!

How to Use Rising Sun™ Redbud in the Landscape

Maybe you have the perfect place picked out for a small, ornamental tree. Rising Sun™ makes the top of the charts for a sustained "pop" of color.

Not sure where you would use it? Create a spot in your landscape for this noted variety!

Study the way the light crosses your property. Is there a spot where the setting sun seems to glow?

Or a bright midday shaft of daylight? Add one, three, or even five Rising Sun™ trees in a syncopated curved line to catch the rays. You'll create an overnight sensation!

Add cozy seating in the shade of these pint-sized powerhouses. Carve out the space you need for a private getaway in your yard.

Don't be afraid to go big and bold with Rising Sun™. Go ahead and make your neighbors jealous!

They make a fabulous grouping for a raised berm planting. Create an amazing backdrop on the north side of your garden beds. Run them along the length of your driveway.

These divas also work well to draw eyes to your commercial property. Plant several of them near the entrance of your building as a cheap advertising trick.

For a close planting where the canopies touch, plant them six feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Vary the spacing out to 12 feet or more to let it all hang out in a casual, informal planting.

#ProPlantTips for Care

You'll get the best color from Rising Sun™ in full sun with at least 6 hours of daylight. In the warmest zones, it's advised that you provide morning sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Be sure to add a packet of Nature Hills Root Booster to the last few inches of backfill soil during planting. Boost your soil ecosystem with beneficial microbes to help your tree access water and micronutrients across its entire lifespan.

Provide a regular schedule of water, especially for young trees and during extended heat. Mulch helps keep the root system nice and cool. Spread a three-inch layer all around the trunk, but pull it away from touching the trunk.

This adaptable tree is cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, and can thrive in any well-drained soil. Create a raised bed if you need to improve the rate at which water drains from your soil.

The popularity of these amazing feature trees is sweeping the nation. Place your order for Rising Sun™ Redbud Tree today!

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Rising Sun™ Redbud is an excellent addition to any collection of flowering trees, and pairs beautifully with other native plants and redbud trees for a cohesive landscape design. This variety thrives in zone 5 plants, trees & shrubs collections, making it adaptable to cooler climates. For comprehensive growing tips and variety comparisons, check out our #ProPlantTips: Best Redbud Tree Varieties & Care Guide to ensure your redbud reaches its full potential in your garden.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the sunlight requirements for the Rising Sun Redbud?

Rising Sun Redbud thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. This adaptable tree performs best with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maximize its colorful foliage display. Plant in a location with morning sun and some afternoon protection in hotter climates.

Is the Rising Sun Redbud drought-tolerant once established?

Rising Sun Redbud is drought-tolerant once established, as it resists heat and leaf scorch better than typical redbuds. This tough native cultivar adapts widely to various conditions. Water regularly the first year, then it should handle dry spells well.

When and how should I prune the Rising Sun Redbud?

Prune Rising Sun Redbud immediately after flowering in late spring to avoid removing next year's buds. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches, and lightly shape as needed. Avoid heavy pruning since this compact cultivar maintains its natural form well.

What should I do if branches break during shipping?

Redbuds are resilient trees that can recover well from minor shipping damage. Clean broken branches with sharp pruning shears, making cuts just above a healthy bud or lateral branch. Contact your nursery immediately with photos for replacement options if major structural damage occurred.

How do I properly plant a Rising Sun Redbud tree?

Plant Rising Sun Redbud in well-draining soil with full sun to partial shade spacing. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the root flare sits at ground level. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the base. Shop quality Rising Sun Redbuds at naturehills.com.