Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes’

Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes®’: Golden Cutleaf Firework

If you want instant colour and bold texture, Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes®’ delivers with finely divided foliage in a bright golden-yellow that glows in full sun. As the season shifts, that gold deepens into an autumn show of yellow, orange, and scarlet-red that can light up an entire planting from a distance. Its wide-spreading mature habit makes it especially useful where you want a strong, naturalistic look or quick coverage. Even out of bloom, this is a foliage shrub first and foremost, dramatic, modern, and impossible to overlook.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 180 cm
• Spread: 180 cm
• Flower Colour: Inconspicuous
• Flowering Period: Early summer
• Foliage: Finely divided, bright golden-yellow foliage, turning yellow, orange, and scarlet-red in fall
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil; adaptable once established

Uses and Benefits: Use Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes®’ as a high-impact specimen, a vivid contrast plant among evergreens, or a bold drift on slopes and larger borders where its spreading habit can shine. The cutleaf texture reads as light and airy, even when the colour is intense, making it a great way to brighten heavy plantings. It also performs well in tough, sunny sites once established, offering strong seasonal colour with minimal fuss. Its wide, colony-forming tendency can be an advantage for naturalized edges and larger landscapes.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun for the strongest golden foliage and best fall colour. Water regularly during the first growing season, then water during extended drought to keep growth looking fresh. Provide good drainage and avoid consistently soggy soil. If the plant spreads beyond its desired area, remove suckers as they appear or edge the planting to keep it contained. Prune in late winter or early spring to shape, reduce size, or encourage dense new growth.

History: Rhus typhina, commonly known as staghorn sumac, is a North American shrub admired for its resilience and brilliant fall colour. ‘Tiger Eyes®’ was selected for its finely cut foliage and bright golden summer colour, bringing a more refined texture and a lighter palette to a plant best known for bold, naturalistic impact.

Final Thoughts: For sunny gardens that need a shot of colour and texture from spring through fall, Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eyes®’ is a confident choice that turns even ordinary spaces into something electric.