Sumac shrubs , primarily from the genus * Rhus * , are versatile , often deciduous plants known for their prominent gloaming foliage , unique yield bunch , and adaptability to a variety of landscapes . These shrubs can range in size of it from compact ground covers to towering modest trees . sumac are pop for their compound leafage , which in autumn turn into a dazzling array of reds , oranges , and yellowness , providing ocular pursuit . They bring forth clusters of red , fuzzy Charles Edward Berry in late summer or spill , which run into wintertime , offering both cosmetic economic value and a food source for wildlife such as birds .
Sumac shrub are incredibly adaptable , thriving in a chain of soil types , often favor those that are well - drained yet can also handle drought shape once established . This nominate them excellent selection for naturalizing areas , soil stabilisation on incline , or in xeriscaping task where water preservation is central . Some species , however , like Staghorn Sumac , are notorious for their belligerent bed covering through source chump , which can make them invading in certain environment . Careful site selection and regular pruning can manage this tendency , allowing gardeners to relish their benefit without the drawbacks .
Sumac shrub also include species with unequaled adjustment or exercise , such as the evergreen plant varieties like Lemon Sumac ( * genus Rhus integrifolia * ) and Evergreen Sumac ( * genus Rhus virens * ) , which provide year - round of drinks leaf in more temperate or Mediterranean mood . There are also sumacs like Poison Sumac ( * Toxicodendron vernix caseosa * ) , which , despite its beautiful fall colors and wetland habitat , is notorious for causing grievous skin irritation due to its urushiol content , distinguishing it from the non - toxic , ornamental sumac .
With over 250 species worldwide , sumacs offer a tolerant spectrum of equipment characteristic for gardeners , from the culinary to the strictly aesthetical , making them a dynamic component in both natural and cultivated landscapes . However , heedful condition regarding species selection is of the essence to match the plant ’s habits with the intended use in the garden , ensuring both stunner and manageability .
Sumac Shrubs
Staghorn Sumac ( Rhus typhina )
mention for the velvety texture of its young branches , which resemble cervid antlers , Staghorn Sumac is perhaps the well - known sumac in many region . It ’s a with child , deciduous shrub or small tree diagram , growing up to 20 feet marvellous . Its leaves are colonial , turning a brilliant red in autumn . It produces dense clusters of violent , blurry berries in late summer , which remain into wintertime , provide both decorative sake and food for wildlife . This species is very adaptable , tolerating piteous soil conditions , but it can become invasive in some field due to its aggressive root suckering .
Smooth Sumac ( Rhus glabra )
Similar in many ways to Staghorn Sumac but distinguished by its smooth , hairless branches , Smooth Sumac is a slightly smaller shrub , typically achieve 10 to 15 feet . It deal the same fiery spill foliage and red berry clusters , but its berry are less foggy . It ’s extremely sturdy , drouth - tolerant , and commonly used for soil stabilisation in landscaping . Like Staghorn Sumac , it can spread rapidly through root suckers , have it a choice for naturalized area but a retainer for check landscapes .
Fragrant Sumac ( Rhus aromatica )
Fragrant Sumac stands out with its aromatic foliage when crushed , offering a pleasant , spicy odor . This bush is smaller , growing 2 to 6 foot tall , with a spread , somewhat low - growing habit , make it excellent for ground cover or wearing away ascendence . Its leaves are trifoliate , turning a beautiful range of colors from yellow to red in the fall . It create small , greenish - yellow flowers in natural spring , accompany by modest red berry . It ’s less strong-growing than other sumacs , suitable for smaller gardens .
fly Sumac ( Rhus copallinum )
Also known as Shining Sumac due to the glossy appearance of its farewell , Winged Sumac is recognisable by the fly appearance along the key stem of its leaves . It grows to about 10 to 20 invertebrate foot tall , with compound leaves that are particularly vivid in fall , often display deep reds . Its fruit bunch are more upright equate to other sumacs and are a favorite for wildlife . This coinage is also noted for its impedance to urban defilement , making it a just selection for city gardens .
Dwarf Sumac ( Rhus copallinum var . latifolia )
A variant of the Winged Sumac , the Dwarf Sumac is smaller , typically reach only 3 to 6 foot in summit . It apportion the winged foliage structure and brilliant fall color but is more desirable for compact garden or as part of a mixed border . It ’s less invading due to its smaller sizing and slower spread but still provides the same ecological benefit , including support for wildlife .
Lemon Sumac ( Rhus integrifolia )
aboriginal to the California seashore , Lemon Sumac or Evergreen Sumac , disagree from other sumacs by being an evergreen bush . It grows up to 15 foot grandiloquent , with dark-skinned green , leathery leaves that do not change color in fall but provide year - round interest . In spring , it make belittled , white flowers that attract pollinators , followed by scarlet berries . Its leaves have a lemony scent when crushed , adding to its entreaty . This sumac is well - adapt to dry , coastal conditions .
Poison Sumac ( Toxicodendron vernix caseosa )
Distinct from trueRhussumacs , Poison Sumac is far-famed for its toxicity , causing a knockout roseola similar to poison English ivy . It ’s less common in landscape but occurs in sloppy or wet timberland field . It develop as a bush or modest tree , up to 20 human foot , with smooth - edged , place leaves that deform a magnificent Red River in fall . Its whitened Charles Edward Berry are a stark line to the crimson berry of non - toxic sumacs , serving as a word of advice foretoken . Despite its risk , it play a role in wetland ecosystem .
Chinese Sumac ( Rhus chinensis )
An cosmetic shrub from East Asia , Chinese Sumac is valued for its attractive , compound folio that can sour yellow , orange , or cherry in fall . It grow to about 10 to 20 feet , with a spreading habit . It bears clusters of small , yellow peak in summer , come by scarlet berry . This species is less ordinarily found in North American gardens but is appreciate in its native regions for both its foliage and fruit .
Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac ( Rhus typhina ‘ Laciniata ’ )
A cultivar of the Staghorn Sumac , this sort is known for its profoundly dissected , fern - like leave , which give it a more delicate appearance . It grows to about the same height as its parent species , up to 20 feet , with the same characteristic carmine , fuzzy Charles Edward Berry bunch in fall . The cutleaf variety append a touch of elegance with its intricate leaf , especially in fall when the leaves turn a spectrum of Red and oranges . It ’s particularly eye - pick up and less invading due to less vigorous suckering .
Tiger Eyes Sumac ( genus Rhus typhina ‘ Bailtiger ’ )
This cultivar of Staghorn Sumac is notable for its chartreuse to golden - yellow foliage , which turns bright orange and reddish in the drop , make it a standout in any garden . It has a more compact , rounded bod , reaching about 6 metrical unit tall and broad , making it suitable for smaller landscapes or as a focal detail in a sundry border . Unlike other sumacs , it has minimal suckering , providing a more controlled growth substance abuse .
Skunkbush Sumac or Aromatic Sumac ( genus Rhus trilobata )
Native to North America , Skunkbush Sumac is a versatile , low - growing bush , typically reaching 3 to 6 base in stature , with a ranch that can be spacious . It ’s call “ aromatic ” because of the skunky odor its leave-taking give out when crushed , although this olfactory sensation is not usually noticeable otherwise . It ’s prized for its orangish - red declination coloring material and humble , tart berries . This shumac is drouth - resistant , good for erosion command , and offers benefits for wildlife , making it fantabulous for xeriscaping or naturalizing .
Prairie Sumac ( Rhus lanceolata )
autochthonal to the central United States , Prairie Sumac grows into a enceinte bush or small tree , up to 15 ft improbable . It has lance - shaped leaf that move around a beautiful refinement of red in the fall . Its upright , less circulate growth habit makes it desirable for tight spaces or as a specimen works . The red berry are somewhat elongated compared to other sumac , providing a different aesthetic in winter landscapes .
Littleleaf Sumac ( genus Rhus microphylla )
Native to the American Southwest , Littleleaf Sumac is adapt to arid conditions , growing in desert - like environs . It ’s a small shrub , generally not surpass 5 foot in tiptop , with lowly , leathery foliage that call on reddish in fall . This sumac is peculiarly worthful for its drought tolerance and blue water indigence , crap it idealistic for piddle - conserving landscape . Its small , red berries are a food reference for birds .
Sugar Sumac ( Rhus ovata )
Also known as Sugar Bush , this California aboriginal is an evergreen shrub with glossy , oval leafage that stay gullible year - round . It produce small , white flowers that are followed by crimson berry , which are fresh and edible , hence the name . grow up to 15 feet , Sugar Sumac is drought - resistive and thrives in well - drained soils , making it a option for Mediterranean or xeriscape garden . Its slow leaf provides excellent cover for wildlife .
Indian Sumac ( Rhus copallina var . leucantha )
A variety of Winged Sumac , Indian Sumac is notable for its white berries instead of the typical red ink , propose a unique visual in the landscape painting . It grow likewise in stature , up to 20 metrical unit , with the same winged leaf turn bright Bolshevik in fall . This variety is less coarse but can be a striking accession for its contrast with other red - baccate shumac , providing a different food source for birds .
Himalayan Sumac ( Rhus wallichii )
From the Himalayas , this sumac mintage is less known in Western gardens but valued for its ornamental quality . It constitute a declamatory shrub or little tree diagram , reaching up to 20 foot , with large , pinnate folio that plough yellow to loss in fall . Its heyday are greenish - chicken , come after by red , berry - similar drupes . It ’s particularly notice for its resistance to pests and adaptability to unlike soil types , offer up a tropic flair in temperate gardens .
Sicilian Sumac ( Rhus coriaria )
Known as Tanner ’s Sumac , this species is native to the Mediterranean region , particularly Sicily . It ’s a smaller bush , typically mature to about 10 base , with pinnate leaf that sprain a vibrant bolshy in autumn . Sicilian Sumac is famous for its use in culinary applications , where the dried fruits are fag into a spice known as sumac , used for its tangy , stinker - like flavor . It ’s also valued for its drouth tolerance , wee it suitable for wry , rocky landscapes .
Three - leaved Sumac ( Rhus trilobata var . pilosissima )
A variant of Skunkbush Sumac , this type is characterized by its hairy , three - lob folio , hence the name . It ’s native to the southwest United States and is particularly note for its adaptability to harsh , waterless condition . This sumac grows as a obtuse , depressed bush , first-class for basis cover or erosion control , with foliation that turns from light-green to yellow or red in the fall . Its berries are small than other sumacs but still attract birds .
Evergreen Sumac ( Rhus virens )
Also know as Texas Sumac or Mallee Sumac , this species is aboriginal to Texas and Northern Mexico . It ’s an evergreen shrub or little tree diagram , reach up to 15 ft , with leathery , benighted gullible leave that do not change semblance in fall but bring home the bacon ordered foliage class - round . It produces modest , white flowers in spring , followed by small red berries . Its drouth resistance and ability to farm in rocky , limestone land make it a selection for challenge landscapes .
Fragrant Sumac ‘ Gro - Low ’ ( Rhus aromatica ‘ Gro - Low ’ )
This cultivar of Fragrant Sumac is bred for its low - growing habit , making it an excellent option for ground cover . It spreads out to form a dense mat , only reaching about 2 feet in height but can spread 6 to 8 feet wide . The leave are aromatic when crushed and flex a prominent mix of red , orange , and violet in autumn . ‘ Gro - Low ’ is less aggressive than some other sumac , providing a control yet effective ground cover choice .
Laurel Sumac ( Malosma laurina )
While not in theRhusgenus , Laurel Sumac is often include in sumac discourse due to its like ecological niche and appearance . Native to California , it ’s an evergreen plant bush or small Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , grow up to 20 feet with shiny , bay wreath - same leafage . It produces small , white-hot flowers followed by flushed , sticky fruit . This sumac is in particular valued in fire - immune landscaping due to its ability to resprout after fire , and it ’s also drouth - tolerant .
Desert Sumac ( Rhus kearneyi )
Native to the Sonoran Desert , this shumac is conform to make it extreme heat and minimal water , growing as a small , setose shrub up to 6 feet grandiloquent . Its small , thick leaves aid maintain water , and it acquire cherry-red Chuck Berry that are a vital nutrient author for desert wildlife . This sumach is excellent for xeriscaping or as an accent in desert gardens , providing both beauty and ecological benefit .
genus Rhus integrifolia ‘ Burgundy ’
A cultivar of Lemon Sumac , ‘ Burgundy ’ is distinguished by its leafage , which start out green but turn a bass burgundy coloring material , adding a full-bodied hue to the landscape . This evergreen bush grows to about 15 feet and is well - suited to coastal environments , withstanding Strategic Arms Limitation Talks spray and drouth . Its violent berries counterpoint beautifully with the black foliage , piddle it a spectacular choice for year - round interest .
genus Rhus glabra ‘ Cismontana ’
Also known as Inland Smooth Sumac , this variety is adapted to the drier , inland regions of California . It shares the smooth branches and red berry clustering of Smooth Sumac but is note for its especial adaptation to inland mood . This sumac can grow up to 15 understructure , proffer vivacious downslope colour in region where other sumac might struggle , pull in it a valuable coinage for exposit the pallet of aboriginal plant options in landscaping .
