30 Seeds Smooth Sumac Rhus Glabra Native Shrub Wildlife Friendly Fall Color

Smooth Sumac is a native North American deciduous shrub or small tree valued for its bold tropical-looking foliage and brilliant scarlet-orange autumn color. It forms thickets of upright stems topped with conical clusters of greenish-yellow flowers in summer, which mature into dense upright panicles of fuzzy crimson fruit that persist into winter. Its architectural form and vivid seasonal display make it a striking addition to naturalized plantings, hedgerows, and large landscapes.

Smooth Sumac works well in native plant gardens, wildlife plantings, and erosion-control areas where its spreading habit is welcome. The female plants produce showy red fruit clusters that hold well through the cold months, and the compound leaves cast a light, airy shade. It is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant selection for sunny sites with room to spread; plant it where its colonizing habit can be appreciated rather than contained. Not applicable for germination.

Species: Rhus glabra
Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Plant_Habit: Upright, colonizing thicket-former
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Average, well-drained; tolerates poor and dry soils
Zones: 3 to 9
Germination: Cold stratification recommended; sow in moist medium and refrigerate 60 to 90 days before warming
Sowing: Surface sow, press lightly, do not bury deeply
Spacing: 6 to 10 feet apart
Notes: Female plants bear showy red fruit clusters; foliage turns brilliant red-orange in autumn