Tiger Eyes

Planting & Care for Deciduous Shrub – Sumac

Preparation

• Easily grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
• Tolerant of a wide range of soils except for soils that are poorly drained.
• Generally tolerant of urban conditions.
• Tiger Eyes will slowly spread by suckering, but is not aggressive as is the case with species plants.
• Excellent landscape specimen or accent. Also effective when massed. Shrub borders. Foundations.
• Tiger Eyes Sumac is a cutleaf staghorn sumac selection with chartreuse leaflets changing to yellow contrasting with pink stems.
• This deciduous shrub likes full sun and matures to around 6' tall x 6' wide.
• This is treasured for its interesting texture and form in the landscape.

Opening Plant Material

• Containers - Completely saturate all container plants by putting in a larger container of water until stops bubbling, remove. Now ready to plant. Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or more, making sure it’s wider on the sides.

Planting containers

• Plant in March, May – November.
• Slide plant from pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
• With shovel or knife trim bottom 2" off of the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
• Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
• Place the root ball in the hole.
• Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
• Backfill the hole with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.

Pruning - After Planting

• Containers - Although it is not essential for containers to be pruned after planting, a light pruning for shape, to remove any broken branches from shipping, or to thin out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new planting.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• When pruning in late winter or early spring, remove any branches that grow beyond the desired shape and height of the shrub.
• Use sharp shears and make clean cuts straight across each branch.
• You can also thin out branches from the center of the shrub for a more open growth habit, if desired.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

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