What is a Fragrant Sumac?

Fragrant sumac, or Rhus aromatica , is a type of perennial shrub often used for borders, around foundations, and to fill up empty space in the garden. The largest of these plants may grow to a height of 8 feet (2.4 m) and may spread to a width of 10 feet (3 m). They have dark green, pointed leaves that are typically in sets of three to each stem. The leaves normally change to a bright red or orange shade in the fall. Most of these plants have both male and female flowers, and the females usually produce a reddish colored berry around the end of the summer.

The ideal area for planting fragrant sumac would be in acidic soil with good drainage. A pH tester, which is normally available for sale at most garden centers, can quickly determine the acidity of the soil. Sphagnum peat can be added to make soil more acidic if it is necessary. Even if no products are added to increase the soil's acidity, fragrant sumac may still grow well in soil with little acidity because it tends to be a hardy type of plant. The fragrant sumac does not have any particular light requirements and may grow just as well in shade as it does in sun.

Fragrant sumac is native to the United States and is mostly seen on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. It may be distributed as far north as Quebec in Canada and as far south as Florida in the United States. In the wild, it is usually found growing in the bottom of valleys and rocky slopes and along the edges of highways. In most cases, it spreads through root suckers rather than from seed because the outer layer of the seed is very hard and doesn't germinate easily. Fragrant sumac tends to spread more rapidly when disturbed by things like deer, fire, or extensive cutting, but it is not generally considered an invasive species.

It is not normally necessary to prune fragrant sumac, but doing so may result in a healthier plant if there are many dying branches. When the dying branches are pruned, they should be cut all the way down to ground level if possible. It may also be a good idea for a person to leave most of the plant intact, cutting away only about one-third on all sides combined. The best time to prune is generally toward the end of summer or in early fall, just before the dormant season. When spring rolls around again, new branches should begin to grow where the old ones were cut off.