Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' TIGER EYES)
Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' TIGER EYES, a dwarf Staghorn sumac, offers brilliant yellow foliage and low spreading habits for zones 4-8.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES is a highly desirable dwarf cultivar of Staghorn sumac, prized for its compact size and stunning golden foliage which sets it apart from the larger species. This cultivar provides brilliant seasonal interest, emerging chartreuse and maturing to bright yellow, often displaying attractive orange and scarlet tones in the autumn. While the species Staghorn sumac can spread aggressively, TIGER EYES offers a more managed landscape presence, slowly spreading by root suckers without the aggressive nature of its wild relatives.
This deciduous shrub is valued for its hardiness and adaptability, thriving in various difficult sites across USDA Zones 4 through 8. Its unique foliage beautifully contrasts with the purplish stems, ensuring year-round visual appeal even when flowers and fruit are absent. Use Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES when you need a low-maintenance splash of color that can tolerate dry conditions.
The plant reaches a manageable size of 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, making it far more suitable for residential foundation plantings and borders than the towering standard Staghorn sumac. It offers a fantastic combination of tough resilience and superior ornamental qualities that elevate the standard landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Anacardiaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July
- Bloom Description: Greenish-yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES is best done in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Ensure placement is in a location receiving at least some full sun, though it tolerates light afternoon shade well. This plant adapts easily to average, dry to medium moisture, and well-drained soils—it is quite tolerant of various conditions except for standing water.
Once established, watering needs are low to medium; allow soils to dry out between waterings, especially if planted in hotter, drier sites. Fertilization is rarely necessary, as it thrives in average conditions and performs best with minimal intervention. Pruning is generally minor; if shaping is required, trim only to maintain size, focusing on removing any errant growth in early spring before new leaves emerge.
A key consideration for this plant is knowing that while Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES is advertised as slow-suckering compared to the species, it will still spread moderately via roots. Plant it where this gradual spreading is acceptable or be prepared to prune suckers back to maintain sharp boundaries. It handles various urban conditions well.
Landscape Uses
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES excels as an excellent landscape specimen or focal accent where brilliant golden foliage is desired throughout the season. Its naturally mounding, dwarf habit makes it an ideal choice for softening foundation lines around buildings where taller shrubs might overwhelm the architecture. It is also highly effective when used massed together to create striking, low-maintenance screens or drifts of continuous color.
Consider placing this unique Staghorn sumac cultivar in front of darker green evergreens to maximize the contrast of its chartreuse and yellow leaves. It fits perfectly into informal borders or naturalized settings where its drought tolerance will be beneficial. Its manageable size also allows it to be successfully integrated into contemporary mixed shrub borders without dominating neighboring plantings.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The standard Staghorn sumac is the largest North American variety, recognizable by the reddish, velvet-like hairs covering its young branchlets. TIGER EYES is specifically a dwarf cultivar, maturing only to about 6 feet, selected for superior yellow foliage and significantly reduced aggressive suckering behavior compared to the parent Rhus typhina. Its deeply dissected leaves emerge chartreuse, turning bright yellow and eventually showing orange and scarlet highlights in the fall, offering strong color contrast against its purplish stems.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Drought
- Erosion
- Dry Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
While Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES is generally tough, keep an eye out for common sumac issues like leaf spots, rusts, or powdery mildew, particularly in areas with poor air circulation or high humidity. Scale insects, aphids, and caterpillars occasionally pose minor threats that are usually manageable with horticultural oils or targeted insecticidal soap. The most important potential issue to monitor relates to its root habit; while less aggressive than standard Staghorn sumac, intentional placement in tight areas requires vigilance against root suckers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Staghorn sumac suitable for?
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES grow?
This cultivar is dwarf, typically maturing to a height and spread between 3 and 6 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Staghorn sumac need?
It performs best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade conditions, though the intensity of the yellow foliage may be slightly reduced under heavier shade.
When does Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES bloom?
It produces its small, greenish-yellow flowers in July, followed later by attractive fruit clusters.
Conclusion
Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES provides unparalleled low-maintenance color, serving as a manageable dwarf shrub perfect for adding warm tones to the garden. The superior golden foliage and reduced suckering make this Staghorn sumac cultivar an exceptional choice over standard varieties. Before planting, confirm your location falls within Zones 4-8 and plan for its sun exposure to maximize its brilliant performance.
Companion Planting
Choosing companions that share the dry-to-medium water needs and sun exposure of the TIGER EYES sumac ensures a cohesive planting scheme requires minimal supplemental care. Consider pairing this dense shrub with accent grasses that benefit from full sun, such as Miscanthus sinensis cultivars which echo the linear texture of the sumac’s compound leaves. For contrasting cool colors, low-growing Sedums that thrive in dry soil also make excellent groundcover companions beneath the shrub’s canopy.
Wildlife Benefits
The dense structure and late-season color of Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’ TIGER EYES offer valuable benefits to local wildlife, particularly birds. While the male plants offer no fruit, female plants produce hairy, berry-like drupes that ripen to a dark red and persist into winter. These persistent fruits are an important late-season food source for various bird species when other food sources become scarce. Furthermore, the dense, low-spreading habit provides excellent cover and potential nesting sites for smaller backyard wildlife.
