Shrub of the Month-October 2009

Tagged as: Chicagoland Grows

Morton Shining Sumac - Prairie Flame^TM
(Rhus copallina var. latifolia ‘Morton')

Behind the Thornhill Shelter east of Parking Lot 21, look for the spectacular fire-engine red foliage of October's Shrub of the Month—Prairie Flame™ shining sumac.

Among some 200 varieties of sumac, this one is hard to beat. It features glossy, dark green leaves in summer and a compact shape that fits into home landscapes much easier than the taller varieties. The white flower spikes that appear in late summer do not set fruit since this is a male clone. Best of all, in the fall the leaves turn a beautiful fire-engine red.

The Morton Arboretum developed this selection, which was introduced via the Chicagoland Grows program.

Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet
Rate of growth: Medium

Visit this shrub in all seasons to see its changing features!

Leaf	Fall leaf

Print

Related Articles

• Redwing American Cranberry-Bush 98%

  Published in ArrayViburnum, Large Deciduous Shrubs, Chicagoland Grows
  Botanic Name:  Viburnum trilobum 'J.N. Select'Common Name:  Redwing American Cranberry-Bush Click on images to enlarge form fruits Height:  6-8' Spread:  6-8' Form:  Upright to rounded Rate: ...

• Northern BurgundyTM Southern Arrowwood 98%

  Published in Chicagoland Grows, birds, Large Deciduous Shrubs
   Botanical Name: Viburnum dentatum 'Morton'Common Name: Northern BurgundyTM Southern Arrowwood Height: 10-12' Spread: 6-8' Habit/Form: Upright to vase-shaped Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 3-8Cultural Requirements: Sun or shade; adaptable to...

• Autumn JazzTM Southern Arrowwood 98%

  Published in Large Deciduous Shrubs, Chicagoland Grows, Viburnum
  Botanical Name: Viburnum dentatum 'Ralph Senior'Common Name: Autumn JazzTM Southern Arrowwood Height: 8-10' Spread: 6-8' Habit/Form: Compact, vase-shaped Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 3-8Fruit: Red to purple*Fall Color: Yellow orange to red...

• Prairie Flame Shining Sumac 98%

  Published in Low growing shrubs, Chicagoland Grows, Four Season Landscape
  Botanical Name: Rhus copallina var. latifolia 'Morton' Common Name: Prairie FlameTM Shining Sumac Height: 5-6' Spread: 4-6' Habit/Form: Compact, mounding Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 4-8Cultural Requirements: Sun to part shade; tolerant of...

• Chicago Lustre Southern Arrowwood 97%

  Published in Large Deciduous Shrubs, Chicagoland Grows, birds, Viburnum
  Botanical Name: Viburnum dentatum 'Synnestvedt'Common Name: Chicago LustreTM Southern Arrowwood Height: 8-10' Spread: 8-10' Habit/Form: Uniform upright rounded shrub Growth Rate: Medium Zone: 3-8Fruit: Red to purpleFall Color: BurgundyCultural...