Sumac Tiger Eyes
Sumac 'Tiger Eyes' ... you'll either love it or hate it.
* Common name: Staghorn sumac Tiger Eyes
* Botanical name: Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’
* What it is: A native, drought-tough, deer-resistant, bright-gold-leafed deciduous shrub with horizontal branches and opposite cut-edged leaves that give a lacy look to the plant. Fall color is vibrant orange/gold. Reminiscent of wild sumac or weedy tree-of-Heaven, so you’ll either love or hate this one.
* Size: 5 to 6 feet tall and wide
* Where to use: Sunny back or side border gardens or as a specimen in a warm-colored perennial garden.
* Care: Water to establish the first year, then nothing. If size is OK, no pruning needed. Otherwise, cut back long stems by one-third to a joint in March. Fertilizer usually not needed. Plant will send out some suckers from the base… dig up and transplant if you don’t want the mother plant to creep.
* Great partner: Use in front of tall evergreens or underplant with gaillardia ‘Goblin,’ ‘Fanfare,’ ‘Arizona Sun,’ ‘Oranges and Lemons’ or ‘Tizzy.’