Pinus koraiensis ‘Dragon Eye’ – Korean Pine

Pinus koraiensis ‘Dragon Eye’, also known as ‘Oculus Draconis’, is a spectacular ornamental form of Korean Pine prized for its unusual variegated needles and graceful growth habit. Its long, slightly twisting blue-green needles are beautifully banded with creamy yellow, creating a striking appearance that makes the tree shine in the landscape.

The needle clusters hang gracefully from the branches, giving the plant a lush, slightly weeping appearance. A moderate grower, ‘Dragon Eye’ can develop into an attractive pyramidal tree, reaching around 2.4–3m after 10 years and eventually growing to approximately 6–7.5m tall with a spread of around 3m.

This distinctive conifer makes an excellent focal-point specimen for sunny to partially shaded gardens, woodland borders and larger landscapes. It also works beautifully near homes or as a feature where its unusual foliage can be appreciated up close. It tolerates heat well but benefits from protection against strong winter winds in colder climates.