Although ‘The Rising Sun’ produces clusters of rosy lavender pea-like blooms on its bare branches early in spring, that is just the beginning of its performance. True to its name, this redbud offers an abundance of sunrise colors in its foliage, which opens apricot and ages through gold and yellow.

Although the older leaves turn lime green over the summer, new ones are always opening at the branch tips. So the multi-colored effect should continue throughout the growing season until the tree’s yellow and orange “sunset” in autumn. More compact than other redbuds— since it grows to only 12 feet in height and about the same in width—and more heat tolerant than most, ‘The Rising Sun’ will illuminate even the smallest gardens.

Additional Information: 

Culture:  

Redbuds, AKA Judas trees, prefer soil which is rich, light, and moist. Since they are averse to soggy conditions, you may need to amend heavy clay soil with compost to make it acceptable to them.  However, you should never allow their soil to completely dry out either, as that renders them more vulnerable to disease.

They can grow either in full sun or partial shade in the north, preferably in a somewhat protected location there. Purple-leaved varieties should receive only partial sun in the hottest parts of the south, to help the leaves retain their color which tends to fade when nighttime temperatures climb above 70 degrees.