Fragrant Sumac
Deciduous shrub growing 0.6-1.8 m tall and spreading wider. Features aromatic, compound leaves turning vibrant red in fall. Produces clusters of small yellow flowers in spring before leaves emerge, followed by red berries. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. Excellent for erosion control on slopes. Provides food for wildlife. Suitable for naturalized areas, bank stabilization, and as a ground cover.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Yellow-Green
Bloom Time: Early-Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: Leaves emerge May. Yellow flowers appear before leaves in April. Red fruits mature July-August, persisting into winter. Orange-red fall color develops September.
Wildlife Value: Berries persist into winter, eaten by >20 bird species; excellent cover for wildlife; flowers attract early pollinators
Habit Over Time: Forms a low, spreading shrub that slowly expands through root suckers and trailing stems that root where they touch the ground. While it can cover considerable area over time, its low stature allows it to serve as a groundcover beneath taller plants. The spreading nature is predictable and can be readily contained.
Height: Medium (2-6 feet)