Well, ok, I admit it...I'm late for both Foliage Follow Up AND Garden Bloggers Foliage Day...but better late than never, right?
This month I've decided to focus on a single plant, one of my favorite foliage plants in my garden, 'Tiger Eyes' Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes' or 'Balitiger').
Sumacs are native to pretty much every part of North America...and are most often seen wild on roadsides and other disturbed areas. Most of them are fairly unassuming during much of the year, although they do have interesting curving branch structure. It is during fall, however, that they are un-missable. To see a thicket of them along the highway is to risk veering off the road...they are ablaze with rich crimsons, smoldering oranges and vibrant gold.
The best thing about 'Tiger Eyes' is that it's foliage is an unusual (and ever-changing) variety of colors during the year. When they emerge, they are bright gold, and fade to a pleasing chartreuse during most of the growing season...one of my favorite colors.
As autumn approaches, and temperatures cool, however, 'Tiger Eyes' starts to metamorphose into something altogether more beautiful.
Slowly at first, and then more rapidly as the days wear on, the whole shrub turns a vibrant gold. For me, since I don't get much sun during the year, I'm lucky to get this slight blushing of red, but I've seen the same shrub grown in full sun and it's spectacularly red in those conditions.
Even though mine isn't quite as dramatic as it could be, if given better conditions, it's still the highlight of the garden right now...eclipsing everything else with it's dramatic display of ever-changing foliage.
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As beautiful as this display is, however, it won't last long, sadly. Already, our steady rains have started to batter it, and leaves are falling day by day. Soon, all that will remain is it's twisted skeleton.
But until then, I'll enjoy every minute I can of this autumn spectacle. Happy Foliage Follow-Up and Garden Bloggers Foliage day, everyone!
Oh boy! That is a gorgeous plant! I love yellow's and roses even, especially as you say when it get shaded in afternoon - they seem to pop in the darker light. Lovely post! Thanks! Need to keep this one on the want list!
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous plant, LT...very adaptable :-)
DeleteStunning photos, the plant leaps out in the autumn light.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, the light right now makes a big difference :-)
DeleteI've got a gardening friend in town who is hoping I too will discover the joys of sumacs -- he's hoping to get me a division in the spring. I do love the fall foliage!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you have a sumac in your small garden, as they're known for their spreading behavior. Perhaps yours is too young to have started marching?
You definitely need one, Alan...and you have room for a small grove of them ;-) To be honest, I was (and still am) a little nervous about suckering, but so far, after about 4 years, not a single sucker...so I'm hoping it stays that way! 'Tiger Eyes' is supposed to be much less vigorous/aggressive than other Sumacs.
DeleteThankfully two of my neighbors have planted Sumacs where I can enjoy their fall color. Even better than trying to find space for one in my garden! Hopefully some of your neighbors appreciate the gift you've given them.
ReplyDeleteThat's really the perfect solution for us, isn't it! We get to enjoy some things, but don't have to give up space for them ;-)
DeleteThat's so bright, I think I like the golden yellow even better than red. It just glows. I planted a species sumac once, and it suckered like crazy. Literally made me fear for my garden, and it was a pretty big garden. Have you had any problem with Tiger Eyes suckering?
ReplyDeleteI love it too! I haven't had any suckers so far, after 4 years...so I'm hoping that as long as I don't disturb the roots (which can apparently cause suckering), it will behave.
DeleteHas yours continued to be well behaved? I covet this one so much--it's gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI always fear to say anything, lest I tempt fate...but yes! So far, so good...not a single sucker. These are supposed to be far less inclined to sucker than the species. Also, disturbing the roots at all supposed trigger an emergency "I'm going to die!" response...which makes them sucker...so I try to be EXTRA careful whenever I work around it! I hate to recommend it TOO highly, in case it did sucker, I'd feel forever guilty. Then again, i can't imagine it's any worse than letting something like Tetrapanax loose (which so many people do)!
DeleteYou have a wonderful eye for siting and photographing your plants! I love Tiger Eyes & mine has been quite well behaved!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm so glad to hear others have had good luck with 'Tiger Eyes'...it's such a gorgeous plant.
DeleteThat sumac is great...I need to scout out that and the slightly-more-common Rhus lanceolata in gardens to see what they are up to. Should be peaking soon. Since the Rhus trilobata in the wild and some gardens are really getting hit by this drought... Your's looks stunning with the two-toned orange-yellow, at least to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI really love all the Sumac, David, and if I had room, I'd get a whole little thicket going...I'm not sure if 'Tiger Eyes' is as adaptable to drought like you experience down there...but around here, they seem fine with pretty much no irrigation all summer :-)
DeleteThe Sumacs are really starting to turn red in east central Texas now. They really shine and yours are great looking, that gold is different than here!
ReplyDeleteI know...and I'm a little sad I won't probably ever get that REALLY dramatic crimson you see in the wild...but I'm content with what I have...for now ;-)
Deletewow, i love it, I might just have to get a Sumac one day. it really is a hell of a display and I love seeing autumn foliage
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you do, it's a great plant with an exceptionally long season of interest :-)
Deletegolden world visited
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteNice plant and place. I planted a tiger eyes also this fall. I will have to move it come spring with a new bed.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember if I've seen it in any of your posts, Greggo...hmmm. It would certainly look smashing anywhere you put it in your garden...can 't wait to see what you come up with!
DeleteBeautiful. There are sumacs planted along the center strip of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive and they are also spectacular right now.
ReplyDeleteOMG...I bet they are gorgeous...that Midwest weather is what really triggers the amazing autumn color. It seems that the harsher the weather, the better the color.
DeleteI love those Sumacs too! I keep stoping to take pictures of them as I walk around SE Portland. So pretty at this time of the year!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Anne...just can't get enough of them :-)
DeleteThat certainly is a beautiful plant!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leslie...it's great!
DeleteAbsolutely mesmerizing foliage, Scott. Isn't it often the case that the most beautiful moment for a plant is all too brief? But it's worth it for that moment nonetheless. I never see 'Tiger Eyes' here in central Texas, but we do have a native flameleaf sumac (Rhus lanceolata) that can be quite stunning, by Texas standards of fall color anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's very true, Pam...so often their moment in the spotlight is too brief. I'll have too look up that Sumac...I think I know which one that is :-)
DeleteStunning. There are some Rhus near my office which blaze orange and red every autumn.
ReplyDeleteGotta love that autumn color!
DeleteThey are all beautiful, but that last one is spectacular. I also posted only one plant today unlike my normal posts!
ReplyDeleteHaha...it's kind of nice, focusing on one thing at a time, isn't it!
DeleteSuperb images of that wonderful Tiger Eye Sumac. How much suckering does yours do? I've grown one here in a container for five years now and am contemplating planting it in a shrub border.
ReplyDeleteWell...so far, no suckering at all, Deanne...and it's been in the ground for about 4 years. I do think that the likelihood of it suckering might increase if you transplant it, however...be very careful ;-)
DeleteYou have become a vaunted spokesman for 'Tiger Eyes'. It was a star when I saw it in your garden, and looks to be getting better and better. I can hear others muttering along with me: "must have one".
ReplyDeleteHahaha...I think you all SHOULD get one, Ricki...especially you...you have lots of room to play with. I'm thinking it would look amazing with Fothergilla.
DeleteWow...love your lovely fall colors-such a vivid golden plant and captured so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee...I just love me some good fall foliage :-)
DeleteI have had no suckering from mine in the last 5 years or so. Mine is next to a Sambucus 'black lace'.
ReplyDeleteOOOO...that sounds like a smashing combo, Marie...I bet it looks fabulous right now!
DeleteI have always loved sumacs. They were some of the most colorful plants in fall when I lived back east. Your 'Tiger Eye' is such a gorgeous rich gold that I'm not sure I don't like that slightly better than the stronger orange-toned examples. But this time of year, I'll take all I can get of either color!
ReplyDeleteHahaha...I agree...I can't get enough of fall color...I sort of wish all the trees would get their act together and start turning already!
DeleteHow beautiful Scott./ We all need one of those in the garden for the fall foliage alone. Spectacular!
ReplyDeletethat golden foliage looks divine, Scott, all glowing with the light through it. beautifully photographed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of that gorgeous plant!! Love the cutleaf and the colors in the fall really make it outstanding.
ReplyDeleteMagic, Scott. Pure magic! Staghorn Sumac is one of my all-time favorites. The colors--and the variations of color on the same plant--can be indescribable. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful plant and photographs.
ReplyDelete