Prized for its multi-season interest, Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) is a slow-growing, deciduous tree of delicately pyramidal habit with a slender trunk and a narrow oblong crown. Its slightly pendulous branches are clothed with alternate, finely toothed, glossy green leaves, which turn brilliant crimson-red to dark purple in the fall. The leaves have a sour taste, hence the common name. In early summer, fragrant, urn-shaped, creamy-white flowers resembling those of lily-of-the-valley are borne in drooping, one-sided panicles up to 10 in. long (25 cm) at the branch tips. Attractive to bees, they bloom for about 3-4 weeks and are followed by small, silver-gray capsules that persist through winter and contrast well with the red foliage. The gray bark is fissured, ridged and scaly on mature trees, providing winter interest. A gorgeous flowering tree that offers year-round interest and is a great choice for naturalizing in acid soils. Excellent specimen, patio, or lawn tree. The flowers are used to make prized honey.
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Ericaceae |
Common names | Sourwood, Titi |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Midwest, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky |
Tolerance | Deer, Salt, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Ericaceae |
Common names | Sourwood, Titi |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Spread | 20' - 30' (6.1m - 9.1m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Midwest, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky |
Tolerance | Deer, Salt, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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