Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
Posted April 1997
Both native and exotic varieties of sumac can be used in landscape plantings. Because they are commonly found along highways and in deserted fields, people often do not consider their value for the landscape. Most are members of the genus, Rhus, and are different than poison sumac, Toxicodendron vernix. Rhus species do not produce the oils know to cause allergic reactions like poison sumac or poison ivy. Garden sumacs grow under conditions that are normally too stressful for other plants and can be used more often in the home landscape.
Sumac shrubs vary in heights with divided, lace-like foliage that is glossy green in summer and brilliant red, wine, and gold in fall. Tiny, green-white flowers are borne in pyramid-shaped flower clusters that ripen into showy clusters of scarlet berries in the fall. These fruits stay on the shrubs throughout the winter, adding to the winder landscape. Sumacs bear male and female flowers on different plants. For good fruit displays, be sure to plant female sumacs near male sumacs.
Most sumacs grow well in urban conditions and tolerate heavy, clay soils. Sumacs produce suckers and spread, creating large masses that can fill banks, areas stripped of topsoil, or other tough sites, but can create work in a small landscape with limited space. Most sumacs are hardy throughout the Southeast U.S., from the coast to the mountains.
The most well-known sumac is Rhus typhina(staghorn sumac). Its branches resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac reaches 25 feet in height at maturity with an equal spread. It is not as tolerant of poorly drained soils as other sumacs. Two cultivars of this sumac, 'Laciniata' and 'Dissecta,' have heavily divided leaflets, giving the foliage a fernlike appearance. Both cultivars are female plants that have good fall color.
Rhus aromatica(Fragrant sumac) has become naturalized throughout the eastern half of the U.S. This sumac is a low-growing shrub, reaching 5 to 6 feet in height at maturity with an equal spread. Its foliage is dark green and glossy. Cultivars include 'Grow Low' (a low, spreading plant) and 'Green Globe' (a dense, rounded shrub). Fragrant sumac has bright-yellow flowers in the spring.
Native to southern areas is Rhus glabra (smooth sumac). It is similar to staghorn sumac and has good fall color. A cultivar of smooth sumac called 'Laciniata' is very similar to the staghorn 'Laciniata.'
Rhus copallina(shining or flame leaf sumac) also is a native and probably is the largest, most vigorous of the sumacs. In the South, it can reach 30 feet in height, becoming spreading and irregular with age. Branching on older plants is very interesting. This sumac forms large, spreading colonies and should not be used on small sites. It has carmine fall color.
Rhus chinensis(Chinese sumac) is native to China and Japan. It is not as spreading as other sumacs. It forms a large, rounded mass, reaching 25 feet in height at maturity with a spread of 15 feet. Other sumacs bloom in spring, but Chinese sumac blooms in late summer to early fall. Small, white flowers are borne on large panicles. 'September Beauty' is a cultivar with large flower clusters. Sumacs offer summer beauty and fall color, along with winter interest even in difficult landscapes.
(Adapted from "Sumac is Shrub with Hardy Grace," by Kim E. Tripp, NCSU Arboretum.)
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