Common Names: Fragrant Sumac, Aromatic Sumac, Lemon Sumac, Polecat Bush
This charming deciduous shrub features a low-growing, rambling habit and spreads through root suckers, creating cozy thickets in the wild. Typically, it grows between 2 to 4 feet tall (sometimes reaching up to 6 feet) and can extend up to 10 feet wide, making it an ideal choice for filling open woods, meadows, and thickets.
One of the most fantastic aspects of Fragrant Sumac is its breathtaking autumn leaves, which transform into vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple. When the leaves are lightly bruised, they release an enchanting fragrance, lending to the plant’s delightful name. While its leaves may resemble those of poison ivy, no need to worry – Fragrant Sumac is completely non-poisonous. In early spring, you can spot tiny yellow flowers blooming at the tips of the twigs. Male flowers appear in late summer and stay through winter, ready to bloom again in spring. A single plant will be either male or female, not both, and only females will produce berries. As late summer rolls around, female flowers develop into small clusters of fuzzy, red berries that often continue into winter, attracting various wildlife to your garden. However, it is quite deer resistant.
Fragrant Sumac thrives in dry to medium, well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to part shade. It’s adaptable to many types of soil, as long as they aren’t poorly drained, making it a versatile choice for your gardening adventures. It is a source of nectar for bees and butterflies, and it plays a role as larval host to a few Hairstreak butterflies.
BONAP MAP
Height: 2’-6′ Spread: 6’-10′ Bloom: April Light: Full Sun-Part Shade Water: Low-Medium Zone: 3-9 Origin: Texas, North America
