Summary
Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a deer resistant and adaptable deciduous shrub reaching 6-8’ tall with a spread of 6-10’. It has glossy dark green, trifoliate leaves, and freely suckering aromatic stems. Small yellow flowers appear in early spring before the foliage emerges, followed by hairy red berries in fall. Fragrant sumac also develops stunning orange to red fall foliage color. Plants thrive in dry to average, well-drained soil in full sun to filtered shade. Fragrant sumac is an excellent plant for stabilizing embankments or using as a mass in the garden. It is a good companion for oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), flowering dogwood (CornusBenthamidia florida), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina), and other drought tolerant plants. Zones 3-9.
More Details
- Plant Type
shrub - Sun/Shade Conditions
full-sun-to-partial-shade - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average-to-dry - Flowering Period
early-to-mid-spring - Soil PH
adaptable - Flower Color
yellow - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
orange, purple, red - Fruit/Seed Color
red
Additional Information
USDA Plants Database, Illinois Wildflowers, Southwestern Colorado Wildflowers, U.S. Forest Service (FEIS Lab)