Pinus d. 'Burke's Red Variegated' B&B 3-4'

Yellow bands decorate the needles of this Dragon's Eye Pine, which is the common name of this Japanese red pine. The creamy butter color is more pronounced in summer. Best in full sun. Garden size is 10-15' tall and nearly as wide. It's a moderately vigorous grower, and is hardy to  Zone 5.

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the 1980s from a batch of Pinus densiflora 'Oculus Draconis' seedlings by Joe Burke of Long Island, New York. The legend behind the find is that the original seedling showed red banding, in addition to the normal yellow banding during its first, exceptionally cold winter. Unfortunately, the red banding never reappeared in any plant anywhere, yet the name persisted.

We have an 'Oculus Draconis' here at Hornbaker Gardens, planted around the year 2000. It doesn't variegate until late summer, but is absolutely spectacular all fall. 'Burke's Red Variegated' appears to variegate much earlier.