Smooth Sumac — Rhus glabra

3 GALLON

$110.00

Smooth Sumac — Rhus glabra

$110.00

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) is a native deciduous shrub with an irregular, spreading habit and shiny dark green, pinnate foliage that turns bright orange in fall. Tiny greenish-yellow flowers form pyramidal clusters from late spring into early summer.

Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Female plants produce tight clusters of hairy, maroon-brown fruit that can persist into winter. Smooth Sumac is a host plant for the Red-banded Hairstreak butterfly.

Growing details

Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Origin: Eastern North America; native to Georgia
Listed height and spread: 9–15 feet tall and wide
Spacing: Approximately 12 feet apart
USDA hardiness zones: 3–9
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained acidic soil; tolerates a range of soil types with good drainage
Flowers: Greenish-yellow clusters in late spring to early summer
Seasonal interest: Summer flowers, orange fall foliage and persistent fruit on female plants

Care and garden use

Smooth Sumac can spread aggressively. Allow ample room and manage unwanted spread where a contained planting is needed. Avoid poorly drained sites. Its spreading habit can require substantial maintenance in smaller gardens.

Use in spacious borders, grouped plantings, naturalized areas or woodland edges. Pair with aster, blue mist spirea or coneflower where growing conditions suit each plant.