Japanese Red Pine 'Oculus-draconis'

The Dragon's Eye pine (Pinus densiflora 'Oculus-draconis') lives up to its name completely. Every long needle carries two yellow bands, and when you look down onto a shoot the alternation of green and gold resolves into concentric rings - the pupil of a dragon, exactly. The effect works all year.

Plant it where the crown is seen close up or from above: beside a terrace, along a flight of steps, in a Japanese garden where the picturesque bends of the trunk only add character. In 10 years it reaches around 3 m in height and 1.5 m across - no dwarf, but a small tree. Choose a spot sheltered from icy winter wind.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: The variegation is not the same every year: the brightest "eyes" appear where the days are hot and the nights stay cool.
• Dimensions: At 10 years it reaches 3 m in height with a width of 1.5 m.
• Hardiness: Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3).
• Light: Best in full sun; in a hot climate it happily takes light shade in the afternoon.
• Soil: Happily takes ordinary, moderately moist, well-drained soil; the one thing it will not take is standing water.
• Watering: Water moderately: neither letting the root zone dry out nor keeping it sodden.
• Care: Choose a sheltered spot for it - winter sun and icy wind scorch the variegated needles.
• Landscape use: A specimen by a terrace, steps or in a Japanese garden, and fine material for bonsai too.
• Origin: The cultivar comes from Japan and was first described by the German botanist Heinrich Mayr in 1890.