Plant of the Month September 2024
GENERAL INFORMATION: An attractive small variegated dogwood, Found as a sport on a shrub in Maryland in 1988. Registered in 1993.
Common Name: Wolf Eyes dogwood.
Synonym: Benthamidia japonica 'Wolf Eyes’.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes'.
Life Cycle: Small, slow growing, broad-leaved deciduous tree.
Height: Up to 15 m, with spreading branches.
Bloom Time: June in Toronto.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes' in June.
Flower Colour & Size: Four creamy white petal-like bracts surround a central clump of tiny greenish flowers. Size - about 8 cm across.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes' inflorescence and pollinator.
Fruit: Red, compound edible berry about 2-5 cm across. Very attractive to wildlife.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes' fruit and start to fall colour.
Leaves: Narrow, pointed, gray-green wavy leaves with a distinct white margin. Fall colour is a pinkish red.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes' leaves.
Range: Cornus kousa is native to East Asia.
Habitat: Shaded woodlands on slopes.
CULTIVATION:
Light: Part Shade.
Soil: Preferably acid to neutral soil with plenty of humus.
Water: Moist soil, not waterlogged.
USDA Hardiness: Zone 5.
Companion planting: Other shrubs or use as a specimen tree.
Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes' with companion shrubs.
Propagation: Try cuttings or layering. From seed - Use repeated cycles of 4°C, then 20°C for 3 months each. Germination is very prolonged. Pulpy coat inhibits germination. Remove by soaking and rinsing in clean water for approximately 7 days. Discard water. May not come true from seed but plants are self fertile.
Pollinators: Bees and flies.
Pests: generally pest free.
Native Alternatives: Cornus alternifolia, Cornus alternifolia ‘Argentea’.
References:
https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/cornus-kousa-wolf-eyes
https://onrockgarden.com/index.php/germination-guide
Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt (Toronto Master Gardener)