← Bedfellow

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

Excellent erosion-controlling shrub; striking red fall color. Like other sumacs, the fruit clusters soak into a tart, lemonade-like drink — don't boil the mixture, which releases bitter tannins.

Family

Anacardiaceae

Type

shrub

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–6 ft

Spacing

6–10 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

dry, moist

Soil pH

alkaline

Bloom

April, May, June

Bloom colors

yellow

Wildlife value

songbirds, butterflies, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~58 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

hedge or screen, foundation, erosion control

Native states

AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY