Redbuds are an understory tree, like many of the small ornamental trees we grow. They tend to do better in shade, but will also grow in sun without a problem. Being that 'Rising Sun' is a yellow-leaved cultivar, it would likely have more vibrancy in full sun. It would be the exact opposite with a purple-leaved cultivar (such as 'Forest Pansy' or 'Merlot'), because the sun would cause the leaves to burn, and the color to fade, while they would be bright red in the shade. In many cases, these things apply to most purple and yellow-leaved plants.

Logan, thank you for your reply, but regarding purple leaved plants, everything else I have read says full sun for almost all purple leaved plants, including purple smoke trees, black diamond crape myrtles, compact Loropetalum, merlot redbuds, purple fountain grass, and purple leaved japanese maples.

They bloom more profusely in part to full sun.

The crepe myrtles are full sun, but the redbuds, japanese maples, and loropetalums are best in partial shade. My loropetalums are bright purple (the ones planted in the shade) and the ones I have in the sun are a sickly green. I'm speaking mainly from experience, but others here will agree.

RS Redbud is a stunning plant, isn't it? One of our neighbors has one in their side yard; and I always slow down to admire it. Oh....their full blazing sun, Alabama clay soil side yard...no irrigation but a nice layer of mulch.

This cultivar has been bred to be resistant to both heat and scorch but bears watching. I remember the day we drove through the Tennessee nursery area on our way to experience a 100% solar eclipse, we passed by many rows of RS Redbud being grown in nursery after nursery after nursery.....all under the full sun.

Purple leaved loropetalums also do beautifully in full sun. I've used them in sunny landscapes in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama when a bright touch of color is needed with great, long-term success. I have some in my own full sun front bed, no irrigation, and clay soil.

So, Logan....please try to refrain from giving advice unless and until you've done some research. I've had over 35 solid years of experience with plants on top of a university education but still review recent research, plant introductions, and advances in science every single day.

There are so many factors to consider, provenance being one of them.

So you're saying sun isn't turning my loropetalums green, and I'm fabricating a story to make myself look good? Just, please, stop.

No, I didn't mean to imply that....sorry. But you are clearly doing something wrong. It might be your soil or something about your practices....who knows. But if you do even the most superficial search, you will find that full sun is recommended for purple loropetalums.

Shade should turn your plants green as they are forced to expose more chloroplasts to the surface in an effort to survive under less than ideal conditions.

I'll bet that your plants are receiving less direct sun than you think.

The loropetalums I have in shade stay mainly purple. The ones in the sun are green. They are small.... and one is a resrpout, but they should still be purple.