Home Prairie and Wetland Center
16245 S US Hwy 71
Belton, MO 64012
Tel: (816) 331-9738
Fax: (816) 331-9739

Rhus aromatica

Fragrant Sumac

Click here for print friendly version.
Rhus aromatica (Fragrant Sumac)

In spring, yellow-green flowers appear before leaves on the low irregular-spreading shrub. The lower branches grow horizontally but turn up at the tip. In August to September, clusters of fuzzy red fruit form on female plants. The fruit may persist into winter and is an important food source for mammals and birds. In the fall, the leaves turn a bright red-purple. Like other sumacs, this shrub forms dense stands and tends to sucker from stems that touch the soil. An excellent choice for conservation plantings such as quail covey headquarters.

Additional Information:


Height
2-6 Feet

spacer

Spread
6-10 Feet

spacer

Bloom/Seasonal Color
Yellow Green


USDA Hardiness Zone 3-9

Home Owner Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Good Companions
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), American Filbert (Corylus americana), Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Characteristics & Attributes

Nature Attracting

Songbird

Season of Interest

Late (July-frost)
Mid (May-June)

Soil Moisture

Average
Moderate

Special Uses

Ground Cover

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Medium Sun/Average Shade

USFS MO Ecological Map

Wildlife Benefit

Cover
Food/Birds
Nesting
Food/Small Animals