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rhus typhina ‘tiger eyes’

April 30, 2009

So I love gold, OK? You already know that. And then this special version of the cutleaf staghorn sumac came on the market several years ago, and I bought three. I was worried it would be a weakling, you see, not so energetic as its green-leaved kin, which grows like a giant weed tree (that I planted) in my side yard. So I figured three would cover me. Guess what? Despite presumably less chlorophyll per square inch, ‘Tiger Eyes’ is plenty robust and growing fast. I love the pinkish-red midribs against the gold foliage, and this year my plants are making red fruit as well, a delight to me, and to my friends the birds.

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