When looking for a truly one of a kind dogwood look no further than Wolf Eyes, a super-hardy variegated Kousa Dogwood that will light up those shady spots of your landscape. This rare, choice flowering tree has wavy grey green leaves boldly edged in ivory white - in fact, so much white that from a distance you might think the tree was in full bloom! For a variegated dogwood Wolf Eyes is an unusually heavy bloomer and there will be no mistaking those large, starry spring blooms for leaves. The white bracts (petals) surround a rounded cluster of yellowish-green eyes (actual flowers) that have the appearance of "wolf eyes," hence the name. As with other Cornus kousa varieties, globe-shaped cherry-sized red fruits follow the flowers. The ripened red berries are raspberry-like in appearance. Fall brings yet another color show when the leaves take on shades of pink to mahogany red. A truly spectacular selection that deserves a spot in ever shade garden where it will grow (USDA Zones 5a-8b). Get all the details below!

Wolf Eyes Variegated Kousa Dogwood - 5 Gallon Pot

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SIZE: 5 GALLON POT

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'Wolf Eyes' Variegated Kousa Dogwood

Cornus kousa 'Wolf Eyes'

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Tree

Height at Maturity: 10-15'

Width at Maturity: 10-15'

Spacing: 7' or more from home, structures, and other trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: 3-4" in diameter

Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Ivory White and Grey Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered or Dappled Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 - 7.0 (Acidic to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insects

Description

Our favorite and what we think is the best of the best of all variegated Dogwoods! When looking for a truly one of a kind dogwood look no further than Wolf Eyes, a super-hardy variegated Kousa Dogwood that will light up those shady spots of your landscape. This rare, choice flowering tree has wavy grey green leaves boldly edged in ivory white - in fact, so much white that from a distance you might think the tree was in full bloom! For a variegated dogwood Wolf Eyes is an unusually heavy bloomer and there will be no mistaking those large, starry spring blooms for leaves. The white bracts (petals) surround a rounded cluster of yellowish-green eyes (actual flowers) that have the appearance of "wolf eyes," hence the name. As with other Cornus kousa varieties, globe-shaped cherry-sized red fruits follow the flowers. The ripened red berries are raspberry-like in appearance. Fall brings yet another color show when the leaves take on shades of pink to mahogany red. A truly spectacular selection that deserves a spot in ever shade garden where it will grow. USDA Zones 5a-8b

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 10 to 15 feet tall and equally as wide over time, the Wolf Eyes Dogwood is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings or in partially shaded landscape and woodland borders. Also nice to frame the corners of homes and to provide beauty around patios, porches and other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to woodland gardens, white theme gardens, Asian theme gardens, wildlife gardens, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 18' or more for space between trees

Growing Preferences

Dogwood trees are adaptable to many soil types however prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Though Dogwood trees will tolerate full sun, we think they look and perform best with some shade or filtered sun during the hottest part of summer afternoons. Constantly soggy or wet soils are problematic. Maintenance is minimal to none. Except to remove a stray or broken branch, no pruning is necessary.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktop computer monitors or below on mobile devices.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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Wolf Eyes Variegated Kousa Dogwood

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

To use the map, find your location to see what color region it is in and then find the number that corresponds to the color of that zone. This will be your USDA Zone.

* For more information about USDA Zones look below the map.

* The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was created so that gardeners, growers and landscapers have a way to compare the average lowest temperature in their area with the average lowest temperature that a specific plant will survive without damage.

Every type of plant has a low temperature threshold. Before purchasing plants to grow in your landscape or gardens, make sure it is one that will most likely survive the average low temperature in your zone.

Zone Descriptions

Zone 1 · Below -50° F

Zone 1 has a low temperature of below -50 Fahrenheit and below -45.6 Celsius, covering interior areas of Alaska, Resolute, Northwest Territories of Canada, northernmost tip of China.

Zone 2A · -50° to -45° F

Zone 2a has a low temperature of -50 to -45 Fahrenheit and -42.8 to -45.5 Celsius, spanning from interior areas of Alaska, northern regions of Canada (Manitoba), and northernmost isolated parts of China.

Zone 2B · -45° to -40° F

Zone 2b has a low temperature of -45 to -40 Fahrenheit and -40 to -42.7 Celsius, spanning from interior areas of Alaska (Unalakleet), the northernmost tip of Minnesota, middle regions of Canada, and northernmost regions of China.

Zone 3A · -40° to -35° F

Zone 3a has a low temperature of -40 to -35 Fahrenheit and -37.3 to -39.9 Celsius, spanning from northernmost regions of Minnesota (International Falls), interior and northern coastal areas of Alaska (St. Michael), southern regions of Canada, northern regions of Europe, northern regions of China, and central regions of northern Japan.

Zone 3B · -35° to -30° F

Zone 3b has a low temperature of -35 to -30 Fahrenheit and -34.5 to -37.2 Celsius, spanning from northernmost regions of the US, interior and northern coastal areas of Alaska, southern regions of Canada, northern areas of Europe, some central and northern interior regions of China, and interior regions of northern Japan.

Zone 4A · -30° to -25° F

Zone 4a has a low temperature of -30 to -25 Fahrenheit and -31.7 to -34.4 Celsius, spanning from northern regions in the Midwest and northeast US, western coastal areas of Alaska, coastal regions of eastern Canada, northern areas of Europe, some central and northern interior regions of China, isolated areas of South America, and northern regions of Japan.

Zone 4B · -25° to -20° F

Zone 4b has a low temperature of -25 to -20 Fahrenheit and -28.9 to -31.6 Celsius, spanning from centrally located regions in the Midwest and northeast US, southern coastal areas of Alaska, coastal regions of eastern Canada, northern regions of Europe, some central and northern interior regions of China, southern regions of interior South America, and coastal regions of northern and interior regions of southern Japan.

Zone 5A · -20° to -15° F

Zone 5a has a low temperature of -20 to -15 Fahrenheit and -26.2 to -28.8 Celsius, spanning from central regions in the Midwest and lower regions of the northeast US, southern coastal areas of Alaska, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of Europe, central and northern interior regions of China, southern interior regions of South America, and coastal regions of northern and interior regions of southern Japan.

Zone 5B · -15° to -10° F

Zone 5b has a low temperature of -15 to -10 Fahrenheit and -23.4 to -26.1 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from interior regions of the northwest, straight across the middle of the country and on to coastal areas of northeast US, southern coastal areas of Alaska, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, southern interior regions of South America, and coastal regions of northern and interior regions of southern Japan.

Zone 6A · -10° to -5° F

Zone 6a has a low temperature of -10 to -5 Fahrenheit and -20.6 to -23.3 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from interior regions of the northwest to straight through the mid-US (St. Louis, Missouri) to southern Pennsylvania, southern coastal areas of Alaska, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, southern regions of South America, and coastal regions of northern and interior regions of southern Japan.

Zone 6B · -5° to 0° F

Zone 6b has a low temperature of -5 to 0 Fahrenheit and -17.8 to -20.5 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from interior regions of the northwest across to northernmost areas of Tennessee on to the mid Atlantic coast, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, southern regions of South America, and coastal regions of northern and central interior regions of southern Japan.

Zone 7A · 0° to 5° F

Zone 7a has a low temperature of 0 to 5 Fahrenheit and -15 to -17.7 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from northeast California across southern Oklahoma to up through the Appalachian Mountains to the mid Atlantic coast, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of China, central interior regions of Europe, coastal regions of northern and central interior regions of southern Japan, and northern and southern interior regions of Africa.

Zone 7B · 5° to 10° F

Zone 7b has a low temperature of 5 to 10 Fahrenheit and -12.3 to -14.9 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from eastern California through southern New Mexico and central Texas, across the northern parts of Georgia and the Carolinas to the mid Atlantic coast, coastal regions of western Canada, central interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, coastal regions of northern and areas just inland in southern Japan, southern interior regions of South America, and northern and southern interior regions of Africa.

Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F

Zone 8a has a low temperature of 10 to 15 Fahrenheit and -9.5 to -12 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from coastal areas of the northwest and California through central Arizona and Texas, across the southern halves and coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, central interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, coastal regions of southern Japan, southern interior regions of South America, and northern and southern interior regions of Africa.

Zone 8B · 15° to 20° F

Zone 8b has a low temperature of 15 to 20 Fahrenheit and -6.7 to -9.4 Celsius, spanning all the way across the US; from coastal areas of the northwest and California through central Arizona and southern Texas, to across south Georgia and north Florida, the southern interior region of southeast Australia, southern interior regions of Europe, central interior regions of China, coastal and areas just inland in southern Japan, and northern and southern interior regions of Africa.

Zone 9A · 20° to 25° F

Zone 9a has a low temperature of 20 to 25 Fahrenheit and -3.9 to -6.6 Celsius, covers areas of inland California and the Desert Southwest, southern Texas, and central Florida, southern regions of China, southern regions of Australia, coastal areas of southern Japan, and central regions to both the north and south of Africa.

Zone 9B · 25° to 30° F

Zone 9b has a low temperature of 25 to 30 Fahrenheit and -1.2 to -3.8 Celsius, covers interior regions of California and the Desert Southwest, southernmost Texas, and central Florida, southern regions of China, southern regions of Europe, a band that crosses the middle of Australia, coastal areas of southern Japan, and regions of southern Mexico and South America.

Zone 10A · 30° to 35° F

Zone 10a has a low temperature of 30 to 35 Fahrenheit and 1.6 to -1.1 Celsius, and covers areas of southernmost California and south Florida, southern regions of China, northern and southern coastal regions of Australia, southernmost coastal regions of Europe, interior and coastal regions of South America, and central and northern coastal regions of Africa.

Zone 10B · 35° to 40° F

Zone 10b has a low temperature of 35 to 40 Fahrenheit and 4.4 to 1.7 Celsius, covers areas of south Florida (Miami), southern most coastal regions of Europe (Portugal, Spain, and Italy), southernmost regions of China, northern regions of Australia, central regions of South and Central America, and interior and coastal regions of Africa.

Zone 11 · Above 40° F

Zone 11 has a low temperature of above 40 Fahrenheit and above 4.5 Celsius, covers Hawaii (Honolulu), Southern Mexico, the Florida Keys, the northern most region of Australia, southernmost regions of China, northern regions of South America, coastal regions of Central America, and central interior and coastal areas of Africa.

Planting & Caring For A Dogwood Tree

When planted right and in the right spot, Dogwood trees are easy to grow and require little if any maintenance.

Here's a breakdown of what you need to know...

Cultural Preferences

Soil Preferences

Dogwoods are very adaptable trees that will grow in most any soil, even poor soils. That said, they prefer a moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Standing water or constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic.

Test Soil Drainage Before Planting

If you are uncertain about soil drainage in the area you intend to plant your Dogwood tree, it's well worth taking the time to test the drainage before planting.

To test soil drainage, dig a hole 12" wide by 12" deep. Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Then, after it drains, fill it with water again, but this time clock how long it takes to drain. In well-drained soil the water level will go down at a rate of about 1 inch an hour. A faster rate, such as in loose, sandy soil, may signal potentially dry site conditions and the need to add top soil or other organic matter to help retain some moisture. A slower rate indicates poor draining soil and is a caution you need to improve drainage or look for plants that are more tolerant of wet or boggy conditions.

Soil pH

Dogwood trees grow best in an acid to neutral soil ranging from around 5.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Testing Soil pH

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, and whether or not it's suitable for growing Dogwood trees, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.

You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.

Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?

Light Preferences

Dogwood trees will grow in sun or shade. That said, we like to give them a break with some shade or filtered sun during the mid-afternoon hours.

How To Plant A Dogwood Tree

Step 1

Start by digging your planting hole at least two to three times as wide and as deep or not much deeper than the root ball of your plant. The wider the hole the better. Place native soil removed from planting hole around the perimeter of the hole, in a wheel barrow, or on a tarp.

Step 2

Depending on the type, fertility and porosity of the soil in the planting area, you might consider amending the native soil. When planting in very heavy clay soil mix in a good soil conditioner, planting mix, or composted organic matter at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the planting hole. When planting in a sandy, quick-draining soil adding some top soil, organic compost, or peat moss will help to retain moisture and supply vital plant nutrients. When planting in a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility there is no need to amend soil.

Step 3

To remove your Dogwood tree from the container it was growing in first squeeze or pound on the sides of the container to loosen the root ball. Then, firmly grasp the base of the tree and gently try to lift and remove it from its container. If the root ball is stuck in the container use snipping tools or a utility knife to cut the container away. Then carefully loosen some feeder roots around the surface of the root ball.

Step 4

To plant, set your Dogwood tree in the planting hole so that the top edge of the root ball is at ground level. It may be necessary to place some of your backfill soil mixture in the bottom of the hole to achieve proper planting height.

Step 5

After setting your tree in the planting hole, use one hand to hold the tree straight while using your other hand to begin backfilling the soil mixture around the root ball, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. When you have filled the hole to the halfway point you can soak the soil. Then continue backfilling to the top edge of the root ball. To avoid suffocating your tree, avoid placing any soil on top of the root ball. You can cover with mulch after planting.

Step 6 (Optional)

If you are planting your Dogwood tree in a location that is far from a water source and in well-drained soil, you can use remaining soil mixture to build a 3- to 4-inch high water retaining berm (catch basin / doughnut) around the outside perimeter of the planting hole. This basin will help to collect water from rainfall and irrigation often reducing the need hand-watering. The berm can be removed after a year or so or when the plant has established itself.

Step 7

Next, deeply water the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball. For an extra boost, to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development you can also water you newly planted Dogwood tree with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants.

Step 8

Apply a 1-2" layer of shredded wood mulch or bark, or a 3-4" layer of pine straw, around your newly planted Dogwood tree. Avoid the use of freshly chipped or shredded wood for mulch until it has cured in a pile for at least 6 months, a year is better. Avoid placing or piling mulch directly against the base (trunk) of the plant as this could cause problems with the bark.

How To Care For A Dogwood Tree

Feeding - Watering - Pruning

How To Fertilize A Dogwood Tree

Dogwood trees are light feeders. That said, they will benefit from fertilization, especially when young and establishing themselves. Feed your Dogwood tree in early spring as directed on the product label with a slow-release shrub & tree type fertilizer or a natural, organic plant food.

Soil pH

Dogwood trees grow best in an acidic to neutral soil ranging from around 5.5 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Testing Soil pH

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you're unsure about the pH of your soil, and whether or not it's suitable for growing a Dogwood tree, it's a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.

Learn More: What is Soil pH and How To Adjust It?

How To Water A Dogwood Tree

After Planting

Immediately after planting deep soak the soil in the planting area, including the root ball, to a depth equal to the height of the root ball. For an extra boost, to stimulate early root formation and stronger root development you can also water you newly planted Dogwood tree with a solution of Root Stimulator, which reduces transplant shock and promotes greener, more vigorous plants.

During The First Growing Season

In average garden soil, and with sufficient rainfall, you should not have to water your newly planted Dogwood tree every day. More often than not, this causes soggy soil conditions that can lead to root rot and other plant diseases. In the absence of sufficient rainfall, water only as needed to keep the root ball and surrounding soil damp to moist.

Keep in mind that deep soaking less frequently is much better than splashing just a little water on your tree every day. Trees planted during the winter dormant season, when they are not actively growing and evaporation is much slower, will require much less water. So, be careful not to overwater during winter!

Thereafter

When established, Dogwood trees are quite drought tolerant. Only during a prolonged period of summer drought might they appreciate supplemental irrigation. If you see the leaves wilting during a summer drought this could be a sign your tree needs a good, deep soaking.

How To Prune A Dogwood Tree

Dogwoods are naturally elegant trees should not and do not require pruning, except to remove a damaged or dead branch.

Damaged or dead branches should be removed as they occur. Use a sharp pair of bypass hand pruners, loppers or a pruning saw to make your cut to a point beyond the breakage. When removing an entire branch make your cut at the base of the branch a half-inch or so from the interesting branch or trunk.

If desired, lower branches can be removed to a desired height in late winter to show more trunk.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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