Cercis canadensis The Rising Sun - Eastern Redbud

Cercis Canadensis 'The Rising Sun' is a recent and rare variety of Canadian Redbud that stands out with its exceptionally bright heart-shaped foliage, combining shades of orange, gold, and chartreuse on the same tree! Its abundant flowering with pinkish-purple pea-like flowers explodes against an almost black bark, covering the entire length of its branches and highlighting its small bare framework. Throughout the year, this small tree offers a dynamic spectacle with its new leaves that emerge golden orange before turning golden yellow, lime green, and finally reddish-orange before falling in autumn. Furthermore, its compact size allows it to be used to enhance a lawn or a terrace container. This hardy plant deserves a sunny but not scorching location that will enhance the intensity of its colours. Although not demanding in terms of soil, it still requires well-drained soil, not too dry.

Cercis canadensis is a tree native to the eastern and central United States, belonging to the vast Legume family. It can reach a height of 12 m (39 ft 5 in) in its natural habitat, but rarely exceeds 4 to 7 m (13 ft 1 in to 23 ft) in cultivation. It forms a twisted tree, with branches spreading near the ground, often wider than it is tall. The Canadian Redbud has given rise to numerous varieties with various habits, flowering colours, and foliage.

Cercis canadensis 'The Rising Sun' is an American creation from 2016, bred by Jackson Nursery in Tennessee. It stands out with a very compact habit and bright foliage, initially golden orange turning to golden yellow and then lime green in summer. Like all varieties of the Cercis genus, its foliage is deciduous and turns reddish-orange before falling in autumn. The 'The Rising Sun' variety does not exceed 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in all directions. The flowering takes place in April-May depending on the climate: its still leafless trailing branches are adorned with an abundant pinkish-purple flowering, highly appreciated by pollinating insects. The flowers are numerous, in clusters, along the branches. Once the flowering is over, the Canadian Redbud is adorned with large heart-shaped leaves.

It forms a very original and attractive bush almost all year round. It takes up little space and has a strong personality: it is an ideal candidate to add a unique touch to a small garden or in the centre of a large flower bed. It only requires a sufficiently deep soil, regardless of its nature, even limestone. It is very hardy and can be planted in all regions of the UK. It does not require any particular pruning: in short, it is a very accommodating plant that can thrive in all gardens!

Cercis canadensis 'The Rising Sun' can be planted as a standalone plant due to its year-round presence, especially in the middle of a small short grass meadow in front of the house or to add vibrant colours to a flower bed on the edge of a wood. It is also stunning against the backdrop of a wall or evergreen foliage accompanied by a Golden Elder 'Plumosa aurea' and a California Lilac 'Concha' for the contrast of colour and form, with a few Darley Heath and Hellebores for winter! Alternatively, with a dwarf Winged Euonymus and a beautiful Smoke Bush 'Grace', the former adorned with beautiful red and orange fruits, and the latter with summer flowering in airy plumes, both offering splendid autumn foliage...