There's nothing bland about the variegations of Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes.' The creamy-white margins complement the crinkled foliage. The leaf texture gives the appearance of a slight breeze rustling through the tree.

In spring, the dogwood is covered with star-shaped, white flowers with green cones. Flowers are followed by red-orange fruit in late summer. By fall, its foliage features shades of pink and red.

'Wolf Eyes' is a spectacular melange of texture and color.

Propagation and production

'Wolf Eyes' is a little more difficult to propagate than other Cornus varieties, said Robert Wilkinson, owner of Walnut Hill Farms in Belvidere, Tenn. Walnut Hill grows 1-year grafted liners and consistently sells all of its 'Wolf Eyes' liners, Wilkinson said.

He uses a T-bud or a chip bud, depending on the condition of the bud wood.

"But we've had no difficulty potting them or growing them in the field," Wilkinson said.

Some nurseries grow them in tree form, while others prefer a multi-trunk shrub.

"They look great both ways, and it's a versatile plant in that regard," he said.

'Wolf Eyes' is less susceptible to scorch than several variegated selections.

It was discovered at Manor View Farm in Monkton, Md.

In the landscape

It's a slow-growing, spreading variety that may grow 20 feet high and wide.

'Wolf Eyes' grows well in almost every soil type except "very wet or very dry," said Winston Dunwell, University of Kentucky extension horticulturist.

Variegation holds up well in sun or shade, Dunwell said.

"It's considered among the best of the C. kousa variegated forms, and there are a bunch," he said.

Gene Bush, owner of Munchkin Nursery & Gardens in Depauw, Ind., warnedto keep it away from afternoon sun.

"It's not crazy about hot, dry summers," Bush said. "Don't let it dry out too extreme or it will cause the leaves to blotch and have brown, crispy edges."

The central leader can be pruned so it branches out more, Bush said. It's hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8. It's also good for wildlife -- birds love the fruit.

— Kelli Rodda

SPECIFICS:
Name: Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes'
Common name: 'Wolf Eyes' Chinese dogwood.
Description: Leaves are variegated with creamy edges. Leaves also are long, pointed and crimped. They're complemented in late spring by white, star-shaped flowers and red-orange fruit in late summer. It shines in fall with pink to red foliage.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8.
Landscape uses: Excellent specimen tree. It's also useful for perimeter plantings and shrub borders.
Awards: It received a Theodore Klein Plant Award in 2006 from the University of Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Program, the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association and Yew Dell Gardens.
For more: Walnut Hill Farms, 947 Walnut Hill Road, Belvidere, TN 37306; (931) 967-2546; www.tnnursery.com/WalnutHill/index.htm. Winston Dunwell, University of Kentucky, P.O. Box 469, Princeton, KY 42445-0469; (270) 365-7541; wdunwell@uky.edu. Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, 323 Woodside Drive N.W., Depauw, IN 47115-9039; (812) 633-4858; www.munchkinnursery.com.

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© 2007 Branch-Smith Publishing