Sugar Sumac, Sugarbush, Sugar Bush
Beautiful year-round, Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac) is a rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree with stout, reddish twigs clothed with large, ovate, lustrous dark green leaves, 3 in. long (7 cm), slightly folded at the midrib. The foliage alone makes it worth planting. In spring, dense white to rose-pink flower clusters appear at the branch tips on female plants. They are followed by conspicuous wine-red fruits that are attractive to birds as well as large and small mammals. Tough, easy to grow, disease resistant, very fast-growing once established, and incredibly low maintenance, Sugar Sumac is great to control erosion and slope stabilization. It also makes a handsome hedge or specimen shrub or small tree in the garden.
Sugar Sumac belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, also known as the cashew family. This family includes economically important, ornamental, and sometimes toxic plants:
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Anacardiaceae |
Genus | Rhus |
Common names | Sugarbush, Sumac |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spread | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spacing | 96" - 120" (240cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | California, United States, Southwest, Arizona |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Anacardiaceae |
Genus | Rhus |
Common names | Sugarbush, Sumac |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spread | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spacing | 96" - 120" (240cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | California, United States, Southwest, Arizona |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Rhus ovata (Sugar Sumac) | 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.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!