Rhus, Smooth Sumac

Rhus, Smooth Sumac
Sun Preference
Full-Sun, Part-Sun
As low as: $0.00

Description

An exotic yet hardy shrub with stout, pithy stems and fronds of tropical-looking leaves, can be rather leggy; very interesting upright spikes of red-purple fruit lasting into winter and brilliant fall colors; suckers vigorously, ideal for naturalizing.

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Elevate your landscaping with Gertens' unmatched variety of shrubs! Selecting the right shrubs for your backyard can enhance its beauty and functionality. Consider factors like sunlight, soil type, and mature size when choosing shrubs. For sunny areas, flowering shrubs like roses or hydrangeas can add color and charm. In shady spots, opt for shrubs like azaleas or hostas. Evergreen shrubs provide year-round interest and privacy, while deciduous shrubs offer seasonal color changes. At Gertens, we offer a wide selection of shrubs to suit every backyard need.

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Planting in Clay or Sandy Soil

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Details

Height: 10 feet

Spread: 10 feet

Sunlight:full sunpartial shade

Hardiness Zone: 3a

Description:

An exotic yet hardy shrub with stout, pithy stems and fronds of tropical-looking leaves, can be rather leggy; very interesting upright spikes of red-purple fruit lasting into winter and brilliant fall colors; suckers vigorously, ideal for naturalizing

Ornamental Features

Smooth Sumac is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The scarlet fruits are carried on showy plumes displayed in abundance from early fall to late winter. It has spikes of green flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late summer. It has green foliage throughout the season. The large narrow pinnately compound leaves turn an outstanding scarlet in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Smooth Sumac is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Suckering

Smooth Sumac is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Smooth Sumac will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

SKU Container Size
S2250 #2 Container (2 Gallon)

* Not all container sizes may be available at this time. See store for details on specific container size availability.

More Information

Available for Pre-Order No
Sun Preference Full-Sun, Part-Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Common Family Name Sumac

Product Questions (15)

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Tipped on its side and put inside a vehicle, in the bed of a pickup, or on a trailer. Gertens employees can help in wrapping the pot so that you don’t lose any dirt while transporting.
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It depends on the variety of tree, and the age of the tree. Late winter is a great time to do pruning—except with Maples and Birches as their saps are flowing at that time. Stop in to Gertens and visit with our tree staff for winter care tips on specific...
Fruit trees are suppose to ripen at certain times of the year (this info can be found in our retail catalog). By monitoring the fruit itself and the time of year, it can ...
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Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
When planting a new tree, you will want to dig a hole no deeper than the pot the tree is in, and about twice as wide. Place the tree in its container either inside of, or next to the hole. Free the root ball from the container (the container may need...
You will want to dig a hole no deeper than the pot the shrub is in, and about twice as wide. Place the shrub still in its container either inside of, or next to the hole. Free the root ball from the container (the container may need to be cut off using...
A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
Use ant repellents.  Terro = Grease Ants Revenge = Garden Ants NOTE: Before bringing...
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