Sumac

You're sure to notice sumacs every autumn -- most varieties are known for putting on an eye-catching show when their foliage turns festive shades of orange and red. Many types also attract birds in summer, fall, and winter, thanks to the plants' fuzzy reddish fruits. The variety Tiger Eyes is especially ornamental thanks to its golden-yellow foliage in spring and summer.

Sumacs are easy to grow in sun or part sun and any well-drained soil. They hold up to drought well, though many varieties tend to spread aggressively. Be sure to give sumac room to form a large colony.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

2-9

Plant Type:

Shrub

Plant Height:

To 15 feet tall

Plant Width:

To 15 feet wide

Flower Color:

Green

Bloom Time:

Spring

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Privacy

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage,Fall Color,Attracts Birds,Drought Tolerant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

---

Fragrant sumac

Rhus aromatica is a species native to North America that forms a dense, low-growing colony ideal as a groundcover or low hedge. The shiny green foliage turns bright red-purple in autumn. It grows 5 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Zones 3-9
view >

'Gro-Low' sumac

Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' makes for a great groundcover. It has shiny green foliage (that looks like poison ivy) and clusters of red berries in autumn and winter. It grows 2 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Zones 3-9
view >

Smooth sumac

Rhus glabra is a North American native shrub that bears dark green foliage and clusters of fuzzy, rust-red fruits in fall. The leaves turn bright shades of red and orange in autumn. It grows 15 feet tall and wide. Zones 2-8
view >

Tiger Eyes sumac

Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' is an exceptionally showy selection of staghorn sumac that features chartreuse foliage all spring and summer. In autumn, the leaves turn brilliant orange. The leaves, stems, and berries are all fuzzy. It grows 8 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-8
view >

Propagation

---

Stem Cuttings