Growing Sumac in Your Garden: A Guide to This Vibrant and Beneficial Native Plant

Fall brings a special treat to the roadsides of my area with the fiery red leaves of sumac stands. It’s a bit of a rarity to find sumac at local nurseries, but if you’re lucky enough to come across it or can source it from elsewhere, it makes a fantastic addition to any garden, especially ones designed to attract and benefit wildlife.

Sumac shrubs are not just beautiful; they’re also functional and provide year-round interest. In the spring, they burst into large clusters of flowers, setting the stage for their stunning autumn show of orange, red, and burgundy leaves. These flowers then transform into red, berry-like drupes that persist through winter, offering a feast for local wildlife.

Across North America, sumac thrives in diverse settings—from highway verges to the back of old fields and even the edges of many backyards. As the seasons turn, sumac lights up the landscape with its vivid red fruits and lush green foliage.

Not only does it add visual appeal, but you can also harvest and grind these berries to make sumac spice. This Middle Eastern seasoning provides a lemony flavor and is packed with antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to your spice rack.

Sumac basics

Sumacs, hailing from the Anacardiaceae family and the Rhus genus, are robust plants native to North America. Many gardeners choose these species for their low maintenance and adaptability—they thrive in various soils and tolerate drought well, just as long as their roots aren’t waterlogged.

These plants vary in size, from small shrubs to larger trees, and tend to spread through rhizomes to form dense thickets. It’s important to note that sumac plants are dioecious, meaning they have either male or female flowers, with only the females bearing fruit.

The staghorn sumac, or Rhus typhina, stands out with its unique, stag horn-like branches, making it a decorative favorite in UK gardens. This tree features vibrant green leaves that transform into stunning reds and oranges come fall.

Spring brings forth candle-like, yellow-green flowers, evolving into clusters of reddish berries that last through winter. These berries can be dried and used as a makeshift spice, similar to the Sicilian sumac from Rhus coriaria.

Though it can reach over 20m in its native regions, the staghorn sumac typically grows up to 5m in the UK, perfect for smaller spaces. However, be cautious as it tends to produce suckers, which might make container planting a better option.

While the ripe fruits are safe, all other parts of the tree can upset the stomach if consumed and its sap may irritate the skin, so it’s wise to wear gloves while handling or pruning.

Choosing the Perfect Spot for Sumac

Sumac is a robust, adaptable plant that thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a favorite among gardeners for its vivid fall colors. Whether you’re dealing with dry, coarse, or slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.5 to 7.0), sumac will happily take root. It loves basking in full sun, where it reaches for the skies, but it doesn’t mind a bit of partial shade either.

Be mindful when picking a spot for your sumac, as it has a natural tendency to spread through underground rhizomes, often creating a thick, bushy area. This makes it ideal for filling up spaces but can be a challenge to contain, especially the larger varieties. Consider placing it where it can grow freely without overtaking other plants.

For a stunning display, position stag’s horn sumac in a sunny, protected spot. It looks great in garden borders, against walls, or as a striking addition to urban container displays. With its leaves turning breathtaking shades of orange and red during the fall, you might want to plant it where you can enjoy the show—perhaps near a window or as a garden centerpiece.

Sumac’s appeal in gardens is growing, largely due to its spectacular autumn foliage. While most types dazzle with bright red leaves, some varieties offer shades of yellow and orange.

To ensure a dazzling fall display, opt for a deciduous variety over an evergreen one. These plants are generally drought-tolerant and do well in full sun, although occasional watering will spur them to greater heights. Depending on the variety, most sumac can withstand the chill, being hardy up to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3.

How and When to Plant Sumac

When planting sumac trees, which often come in pots, you’ll want to start by digging a hole that matches the depth of the pot and is a bit wider. Carefully remove the sumac from its pot, ensuring the rootball is intact, and settle it into the hole.

Once in, press the soil firmly around the base and give it a good watering. To keep weeds at bay and help your sumac thrive, apply a generous layer of mulch around the base.

If you prefer a compact sumac variety like ‘Tiger Eyes,’ choose a large container—aim for one that holds at least 20 liters. Fill it with a loam-based, peat-free compost to support healthy growth.

The best time to plant sumac is in the spring. This timing allows it the entire growing season to establish itself. For planting, make a hole that’s as deep as the rootball and twice as wide. Set the sumac in the hole and backfill with the soil you dug out, ensuring the root level is just at or slightly above the surface.

After planting, tamp down the soil, water thoroughly, and mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Remember, the spacing for sumac can vary depending on the variety, so check the plant tag to determine the best placement, especially if you’re planting more than one.

How to care for sumac trees

• Light Requirements

For vibrant blooms and striking fall colors, it’s best to plant sumac in full sun. However, some varieties can also thrive in partial shade. Just keep in mind that too much shade can lead to a less dense growth and duller colors.

Notably, the ‘Tiger Eyes’ variety of staghorn sumac should be protected from intense afternoon sun to avoid leaf scorch, as it can cause the leaves to bleach if exposed too much.

• Soil and Water Preferences

Sumac isn’t picky about soil and will grow in anything from clay to sandy soil, as long as it drains well. It’s good with a soil pH from 5.0 to 8.0. To test your soil’s drainage, try digging a hole about 18 inches deep, fill it with water, and see how quickly it drains—ideally, it should go down about an inch per hour.

During its first year, sumac likes about an inch of water weekly. After it’s settled in, natural rainfall usually does the job, except for potted sumacs, which may need more frequent watering.

• Temperature and Humidity Adaptability

Sumac is quite versatile, handling everything from cool to subtropical climates. While it prefers warm, humid settings, varieties like the staghorn sumac are cold-hardy down to Zone 3. The lemonade berry sumac, however, favors milder climates and can’t handle the extreme cold as well.

• Fertilization

Generally, sumac doesn’t require fertilization and grows well even in poor soil. If you have a potted sumac, you might need to add nutrients occasionally, especially during the growing season. A monthly feed with a half-strength complete fertilizer should suffice, as frequent watering can deplete the soil faster than usual.

• Pruning Practices

Sumac maintenance is pretty straightforward: no need for shaping cuts. Simply trim away any dead or damaged branches in early spring. Also, keep an eye out for suckers and remove them quickly to prevent unwanted spread.

• Potting and Repotting

While most sumac varieties are too large for containers, the ‘Tiger Eyes’ staghorn sumac fits nicely in pots due to its moderate size (6 to 8 feet tall and wide). Opt for a pot that holds at least 7 gallons and has ample drainage holes. Regular watering is crucial for potted sumacs, as container soil dries out faster than garden soil.

• Pests and Problems

Sumac trees are remarkably resilient and rarely face major pest or disease issues. However, they can encounter some troubles, such as leaf spots, rust, scale, aphids, and mites.

In their natural environment, sumacs are usually free from severe diseases, but they might still experience issues like powdery mildew, cankers, and Armillaria root rot. Common insects that target sumac include aphids, black scale, and psyllids, also known as plant lice.

Read The Ultimate Guide to Ladybugs in the Garden: Beneficial Beetles Explained

Propagating Sumac Made Easy

Want to grow sumac in your garden? Here’s a straightforward guide to get you started using cuttings. First, snip a 6-inch piece from the sumac. Next, dip the freshly cut end into some rooting hormone to encourage growth. Plant this half-way into a pot filled with moist potting soil.

Keep your new cutting in a warm (but not hot) spot out of direct sunlight and make sure it stays damp. You’ll know it’s time to think about the next step when you see fresh leaves sprouting—that means the roots are ready! Once your little sumac is thriving and the pot seems full of roots, it’s ready to be moved outdoors.

However, if you’re thinking about starting from seeds, it might be best to leave that to Mother Nature. Sumac seeds do best after they’ve been naturally processed by wildlife like rabbits and birds or affected by elements such as wildfires, which help with germination.

Sumac Varieties to Enhance Your Garden

Sumac plants are a fantastic choice for any garden due to their diverse range in shapes and sizes. These versatile plants can serve as lush underplantings in sprawling, easy-care areas or as striking focal points with their larger varieties. Most sumac species feature delicate, fernlike leaves that add a soft, textured touch to any landscape.

Every type of sumac produces flowers. While the blooms on smaller varieties might not catch your eye, the larger sumacs compensate with impressive clusters of big white petals that attract a host of pollinators.

As the season progresses, these flowers give way to vibrant, fuzzy red fruits known as drupes. However, the real spectacle arrives in autumn when sumac leaves burst into a breathtaking display of oranges, reds, burgundies, and golds, lighting up entire hillsides.

• Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’): This variety stands out with its vibrant fall colors—think reds, oranges, and golds. It looks almost fern-like due to its deeply dissected leaves. Without control, it spreads widely, reaching heights and widths of 10-12 feet, thriving in zones 3-8.
• ‘Prairie Flame’ Sumac: A compact variant from Morton Arboretum, this shining sumac stays between 5-7 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. It’s a male plant, which means lots of summer flowers but no fruits, with leaves that shift from green to purple-red in fall. Suitable for zones 4-9.
• Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica): Native to North America, this species is perfect as a dense groundcover or hedge, maxing out at 5 feet tall. It’s great for stabilizing slopes or naturalizing in poor soil, offering green flowers and fragrant foliage that turns a stunning red-purple in autumn. It grows in zones 3-9.
• ‘Gro-Low’ Sumac: Ideal for ground coverage, this variety mimics poison ivy with shiny leaves and sports clusters of red berries through fall and winter. It’s a lower grower, reaching about 2 feet in height. Thrives in zones 3-9.
• Shining Sumac (Rhus copallina): Known also as winged sumac, this type can reach up to 20 feet tall. It features a unique leaf structure and bright fall colors, and it’s perfect for larger spaces in zones 4-9.
• Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra): This robust shrub can stretch 10-20 feet tall, thriving in sandy or rocky soils. It’s known for its vibrant fall foliage and rustic, red fruits. Found across zones 3-8, it’s a staple in many landscapes.
• Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia): A Southern California native, this drought-resistant shrub is known for its edible reddish-pink fruits and pinkish-white flowers. It grows 10 feet tall inland and spreads up to 15 feet wide, staying smaller near the coast in zones 9-10.
• Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina): A tall variety that can shoot up to 30 feet. It’s recognized by its red berries and maroon foliage in fall. Ideal for forming groves, it thrives in zones 4-8.
• ‘Tiger Eyes’ Sumac: This staghorn sumac cultivar is eye-catching with its chartreuse leaves that turn orange in fall. It adds a touch of drama to any garden, reaching 8 feet in height and width in zones 4-8.

Sumac and poison sumac?

Ever wonder about the differences between sumac and poison sumac? Let’s clear that up! Sumac is easily recognized by its vibrant red foliage in autumn and the striking red cones that hold its seeds. In contrast, poison sumac features white berries and is known for its smooth-edged leaves, unlike the toothed leaves of regular sumac.

When figuring out which is which, location helps—a lot! You’ll find poison sumac in damp, swampy areas, while regular sumac is more versatile, popping up in dry spots, along roadsides, and other open areas, often growing in clusters.

Now, here’s something important: Poison sumac is in a totally different league compared to its non-toxic cousin. It’s grouped with the likes of poison ivy and poison oak under the genus Toxicodendron and, yes, it’s just as toxic. It sports white or light-green berries instead of red ones.

So, if you’re ever in the mood to whip up some sumac lemonade—a popular tangy treat—make sure you can tell these plants apart, especially in areas where both might grow. Always better to be safe than sorry!

Refreshing Sumac-ade: A Zesty Homemade Delight

Ever tried making your own Sumac-ade? It’s a zesty drink that’s similar to lemonade and crafted from the berries of either smooth or staghorn sumac. Here’s how to whip up a batch:

• Start by collecting about twelve large clusters of sumac berries.
• In a large bowl, mash the berries into roughly a gallon (3.8 liters) of cold water, ensuring to include all the juices.
• Allow this mix to steep for about 5-10 minutes to enhance the berry flavors.
• Next, strain the liquid through cheesecloth into a pitcher, sweetening it according to your taste.
• Serve the Sumac-ade chilled over ice for a perfect refreshing drink.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try a sumac hard cider variant. Just after the berries turn red and are coated with a sticky white residue, harvest them (this is crucial as rain can wash the coating off).

Break the berries apart and soak them overnight in just enough water to cover them. Agitate the mixture, strain it, and then sweeten as desired. For an alcoholic twist, add sugar and cider yeast, letting it ferment into a delightful hard cider. Enjoy experimenting with this tangy treat!

Frequently Asked Questions  

• How long does sumac typically live?

Most sumac varieties have a lifespan of up to 50 years. Despite this, sumac continues to thrive by sending out suckers from its roots, which grow into new plants, ensuring the shrub’s persistence over the years.

• Are sumac trees considered invasive?

Sumac can indeed become problematic despite being a native species, mainly due to its aggressive spreading habit. It propagates through its root system and can quickly form thick colonies that overshadow and inhibit the growth of surrounding vegetation. To prevent sumac from taking over, it’s wise to remove the spent blooms to curb self-seeding.

• Why is sumac beneficial for wildlife?

Sumac plays a vital role in local ecosystems, offering sustenance and refuge to birds, deer, and various insects. While its berries might not be the first choice for many creatures, they provide an essential food source during the scarce winter months.

Additionally, sumac leaves are crucial habitats for certain hairstreak butterflies, with different sumac species supporting different butterfly species.

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