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Rhus aromatica

Low, irregular spreading shrub with lower branches that grow horizontally then turn up at the tips. Tends to sucker and root along stems that touch the soil, forming a dense stand. Yellow-green flowers appear before leaves emerge. Clusters of fuzzy red fruit form on female plants through June. Many birds and mammals feed on the fruit. Leaves turn bright red-purple in fall.

Native Environment

Savanna and Woodland

Culture

Grow in full sun or part shade in average soil.

Use

Good fast growing ground cover for banks and slopes. Can be massed or used in wind breaks. The straight-species is usually tall and leggy in a garden setting. The cultivar ‘Gro-Low’ is useful as a landscape plant for ground cover, but many don’t want to use cultivars.

Native Environment

Savanna / Woodland

Height

2 to 6 feet

Spread

6 to 10 feet

Plant Type

Shrubs

Fall Color

Red

Yellow

Sun Exposure

Full Sun

Medium Sun/Average Shade

Season of Interest

Mid (May - June)

Late (July - frost)

Soil Moisture

Dry

Moderate

Wildlife Benefit

Cover

Nesting

Food/Birds

Food/Small Animals

Animal Resistance

Deer Resistant

Nature Attracting

Songbird

Special Features

Ornamental Fruits/Pods/Seed Heads

Special Usage

Ground Cover