Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Red

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full, Half, Shade

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Invasive

Design Styles

Ranch, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Hedge, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Butterflies

Fragrant sumac is a deciduous shrub with an upright, irregular habit, growing about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Yellow flowers appear in March and are followed by hairy, red fruits (female plants only) which mature in August and persist into the fall. Leaves are oval, coarsely toothed, and darkly green above and whitish-hairy underneath. Fall color is orange to reddish-purple. Useful for mass planting, naturalistic areas, erosion control (as it has a suckering habit). 'Gro-low' is a naturally occurring prostrate form that is ideally suited to be a groundcover.

Grow in well drained soil; adaptive to soil types and pH. Will grow in full sun to mostly shade. Avoid shearing as it makes it twiggy and causes the growth to be somewhat erratic; if pruning is necessary, do so selectively (see Guides). Fire resistant.