Fragrant Sumac

Tagged as: Salt-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs, native, Low growing shrubs, Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds

Botanical Name: Rhus aromatica
Common Name: Fragrant Sumac

Updated 12/2012

Click on an image to enlarge

form	leaves
fruit	fall color

Height: 2-6' Spread: 6-10' Habit/Form: Mounded  Growth Rate: Slow to medium Zone: 3-9

Cultural Requirements: A very adaptable plant. Prefers full sun to part shade in poor to good soils that are slightly acidic to alkaline. Occurs naturally on dry gravelly sites, making it very drought tolerant. Prune 1/3 of the older, larger canes to the ground in late winter to stimulate new growth.

Ornamental Characteristics: A small, suckering shrub useful for its durability and fall color. The trifoliate, glossy, blue-green leaves emit a lemon scent that is not always agreeable when crushed. Leaves turn a magnificent burgundy color in the fall. In August and September, the female plants will produce red, fuzzy clusters of fruit. This species is most easily recognized in the winter for its terminally borne male catkins.

Uses in the Landscape: Ideal as a ground cover or in mass and is an excellent shrub to stabilized banks and slopes.

Native to the Midwest.

Birds Attracted: Robin, sparrows, goldfinch, chickadee, and many others
Plant Appeal to Birds: Berries ripen August-September and may persist into winter although they usually lose their bird-attracting color.

Aerial Salt Tolerance: Highest degree of salt tolerance; use in most exposed areas.

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