Sumac shrubs, primarily from the genus *Rhus*, are versatile, often deciduous plants known for their striking fall foliage, unique fruit clusters, and adaptability to a variety of landscapes. These shrubs can range in size from compact ground covers to towering small trees. Sumacs are popular for their compound leaves, which in autumn turn into a dazzling array of reds, oranges, and yellows, providing visual interest. They produce clusters of red, fuzzy berries in late summer or fall, which persist into winter, offering both ornamental value and a food source for wildlife such as birds.
Sumac shrubs are incredibly adaptable, thriving in a range of soil types, often preferring those that are well-drained yet can also handle drought conditions once established. This makes them excellent choices for naturalizing areas, soil stabilization on slopes, or in xeriscaping projects where water conservation is key. Some species, however, like Staghorn Sumac, are notorious for their aggressive spread through root suckers, which can make them invasive in certain environments. Careful site selection and regular pruning can manage this tendency, allowing gardeners to enjoy their benefits without the drawbacks.
Sumac shrubs also include species with unique adaptations or uses, such as the evergreen varieties like Lemon Sumac (*Rhus integrifolia*) and Evergreen Sumac (*Rhus virens*), which provide year-round foliage in more temperate or Mediterranean climates. There are also sumacs like Poison Sumac (*Toxicodendron vernix*), which, despite its beautiful fall colors and wetland habitat, is notorious for causing severe skin irritation due to its urushiol content, distinguishing it from the non-toxic, ornamental sumacs.
With over 250 species worldwide, sumacs offer a broad spectrum of characteristics for gardeners, from the culinary to the purely aesthetic, making them a dynamic element in both natural and cultivated landscapes. However, careful consideration regarding species selection is crucial to match the plant’s habits with the intended use in the garden, ensuring both beauty and manageability.
Sumac Shrubs
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Named for the velvety texture of its young branches, which resemble deer antlers, Staghorn Sumac is perhaps the best-known sumac in many regions. It’s a large, deciduous shrub or small tree, growing up to 20 feet tall. Its leaves are compound, turning a brilliant red in autumn. It produces dense clusters of red, fuzzy berries in late summer, which persist into winter, providing both ornamental interest and food for wildlife. This species is very adaptable, tolerating poor soil conditions, but it can become invasive in some areas due to its aggressive root suckering.
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
Similar in many ways to Staghorn Sumac but distinguished by its smooth, hairless branches, Smooth Sumac is a slightly smaller shrub, typically reaching 10 to 15 feet. It shares the same fiery fall foliage and red berry clusters, but its berries are less fuzzy. It’s extremely hardy, drought-resistant, and commonly used for soil stabilization in landscaping. Like Staghorn Sumac, it can spread rapidly through root suckers, making it a choice for naturalized areas but a consideration for controlled landscapes.
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Fragrant Sumac stands out with its aromatic foliage when crushed, offering a pleasant, spicy scent. This shrub is smaller, growing 2 to 6 feet tall, with a spreading, somewhat low-growing habit, making it excellent for ground cover or erosion control. Its leaves are trifoliate, turning a beautiful range of colors from yellow to red in the fall. It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in spring, followed by small red berries. It’s less aggressive than other sumacs, suitable for smaller gardens.
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)
Also known as Shining Sumac due to the glossy appearance of its leaves, Winged Sumac is recognizable by the winged appearance along the central stem of its leaves. It grows to about 10 to 20 feet tall, with compound leaves that are particularly vivid in autumn, often displaying deep reds. Its fruit clusters are more upright compared to other sumacs and are a favorite for wildlife. This species is also noted for its resistance to urban pollution, making it a good choice for city gardens.
Dwarf Sumac (Rhus copallinum var. latifolia)
A variant of the Winged Sumac, the Dwarf Sumac is smaller, typically reaching only 3 to 6 feet in height. It shares the winged leaf structure and brilliant fall color but is more suitable for compact gardens or as part of a mixed border. It’s less invasive due to its smaller size and slower spread but still provides the same ecological benefits, including support for wildlife.
Lemon Sumac (Rhus integrifolia)
Native to the California coast, Lemon Sumac or Evergreen Sumac, differs from other sumacs by being an evergreen shrub. It grows up to 15 feet tall, with dark green, leathery leaves that do not change color in fall but provide year-round interest. In spring, it produces small, white flowers that attract pollinators, followed by red berries. Its leaves have a lemony scent when crushed, adding to its appeal. This sumac is well-adapted to dry, coastal conditions.
Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
Distinct from true Rhus sumacs, Poison Sumac is notable for its toxicity, causing a severe rash similar to poison ivy. It’s less common in landscapes but occurs in swampy or wet woodland areas. It grows as a shrub or small tree, up to 20 feet, with smooth-edged, pointed leaves that turn a brilliant red in fall. Its white berries are a stark contrast to the red berries of non-toxic sumacs, serving as a warning sign. Despite its dangers, it plays a role in wetland ecosystems.
Chinese Sumac (Rhus chinensis)
An ornamental shrub from East Asia, Chinese Sumac is valued for its attractive, compound leaves that can turn yellow, orange, or red in autumn. It grows to about 10 to 20 feet, with a spreading habit. It bears clusters of small, yellow flowers in summer, followed by red berries. This species is less commonly found in North American gardens but is appreciated in its native regions for both its foliage and fruit.
Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’)
A cultivar of the Staghorn Sumac, this variety is known for its deeply dissected, fern-like leaves, which give it a more delicate appearance. It grows to about the same height as its parent species, up to 20 feet, with the same characteristic red, fuzzy berry clusters in fall. The cutleaf variety adds a touch of elegance with its intricate foliage, especially in autumn when the leaves turn a spectrum of reds and oranges. It’s particularly eye-catching and less invasive due to less vigorous suckering.
Tiger Eyes Sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’)
This cultivar of Staghorn Sumac is famous for its chartreuse to golden-yellow foliage, which turns brilliant orange and scarlet in the fall, making it a standout in any garden. It has a more compact, rounded form, reaching about 6 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller landscapes or as a focal point in a mixed border. Unlike other sumacs, it has minimal suckering, providing a more controlled growth habit.
Skunkbush Sumac or Aromatic Sumac (Rhus trilobata)
Native to North America, Skunkbush Sumac is a versatile, low-growing shrub, typically reaching 3 to 6 feet in height, with a spread that can be wider. It’s called “aromatic” because of the skunky odor its leaves emit when crushed, although this smell is not usually noticeable otherwise. It’s prized for its orange-red fall color and small, tart berries. This sumac is drought-resistant, good for erosion control, and offers benefits for wildlife, making it excellent for xeriscaping or naturalizing.
Prairie Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
Indigenous to the central United States, Prairie Sumac grows into a large shrub or small tree, up to 15 feet tall. It has lance-shaped leaves that turn a beautiful shade of red in the fall. Its upright, less spreading growth habit makes it suitable for tighter spaces or as a specimen plant. The red berries are somewhat elongated compared to other sumacs, providing a different aesthetic in winter landscapes.
Littleleaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla)
Native to the American Southwest, Littleleaf Sumac is adapted to arid conditions, growing in desert-like environments. It’s a smaller shrub, generally not exceeding 5 feet in height, with small, leathery leaves that turn reddish in fall. This sumac is particularly valuable for its drought tolerance and low water needs, making it ideal for water-conserving landscapes. Its small, red berries are a food source for birds.
Sugar Sumac (Rhus ovata)
Also known as Sugar Bush, this California native is an evergreen shrub with glossy, oval leaves that stay green year-round. It produces small, white flowers that are followed by red berries, which are sweet and edible, hence the name. Growing up to 15 feet, Sugar Sumac is drought-resistant and thrives in well-drained soils, making it a choice for Mediterranean or xeriscape gardens. Its dense foliage provides excellent cover for wildlife.
Indian Sumac (Rhus copallina var. leucantha)
A variety of Winged Sumac, Indian Sumac is notable for its white berries instead of the typical red, offering a unique visual in the landscape. It grows similarly in stature, up to 20 feet, with the same winged leaves turning brilliant red in autumn. This variety is less common but can be a striking addition for its contrast with other red-berried sumacs, providing a different food source for birds.
Himalayan Sumac (Rhus wallichii)
From the Himalayas, this sumac species is less known in Western gardens but valued for its ornamental qualities. It forms a large shrub or small tree, reaching up to 20 feet, with large, pinnate leaves that turn yellow to red in fall. Its flowers are greenish-yellow, followed by red, berry-like drupes. It’s particularly noted for its resistance to pests and adaptability to different soil types, offering a tropical flair in temperate gardens.
Sicilian Sumac (Rhus coriaria)
Known as Tanner’s Sumac, this species is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly Sicily. It’s a smaller shrub, typically growing to about 10 feet, with pinnate leaves that turn a vibrant red in autumn. Sicilian Sumac is famous for its use in culinary applications, where the dried fruits are ground into a spice known as sumac, used for its tangy, lemon-like flavor. It’s also valued for its drought tolerance, making it suitable for dry, rocky landscapes.
Three-leaved Sumac (Rhus trilobata var. pilosissima)
A variant of Skunkbush Sumac, this type is characterized by its hairy, three-lobed leaves, hence the name. It’s native to the southwestern United States and is particularly noted for its adaptability to harsh, arid conditions. This sumac grows as a dense, low shrub, excellent for ground cover or erosion control, with foliage that turns from green to yellow or red in the fall. Its berries are smaller than other sumacs but still attract birds.
Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens)
Also known as Texas Sumac or Mallee Sumac, this species is native to Texas and Northern Mexico. It’s an evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching up to 15 feet, with leathery, dark green leaves that do not change color in fall but provide consistent foliage year-round. It produces small, white flowers in spring, followed by small red berries. Its drought resistance and ability to grow in rocky, limestone soils make it a choice for challenging landscapes.
Fragrant Sumac ‘Gro-Low’ (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’)
This cultivar of Fragrant Sumac is bred for its low-growing habit, making it an excellent choice for ground cover. It spreads out to form a dense mat, only reaching about 2 feet in height but can spread 6 to 8 feet wide. The leaves are aromatic when crushed and turn a spectacular mix of red, orange, and purple in autumn. ‘Gro-Low’ is less aggressive than some other sumacs, providing a controlled yet effective ground cover option.
Laurel Sumac (Malosma laurina)
While not in the Rhus genus, Laurel Sumac is often included in sumac discussions due to its similar ecological niche and appearance. Native to California, it’s an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing up to 20 feet with glossy, laurel-like leaves. It produces small, white flowers followed by red, sticky fruits. This sumac is particularly valued in fire-resistant landscaping due to its ability to resprout after fires, and it’s also drought-tolerant.
Desert Sumac (Rhus kearneyi)
Native to the Sonoran Desert, this sumac is adapted to survive extreme heat and minimal water, growing as a small, spiny shrub up to 6 feet tall. Its small, thick leaves help conserve water, and it produces red berries that are a vital food source for desert wildlife. This sumac is excellent for xeriscaping or as an accent in desert gardens, providing both beauty and ecological benefits.
Rhus integrifolia ‘Burgundy’
A cultivar of Lemon Sumac, ‘Burgundy’ is distinguished by its foliage, which starts out green but turns a deep burgundy color, adding a rich hue to the landscape. This evergreen shrub grows to about 15 feet and is well-suited to coastal environments, withstanding salt spray and drought. Its red berries contrast beautifully with the dark foliage, making it a striking choice for year-round interest.
Rhus glabra ‘Cismontana’
Also known as Inland Smooth Sumac, this variety is adapted to the drier, inland regions of California. It shares the smooth branches and red berry clusters of Smooth Sumac but is noted for its particular adaptation to inland climates. This sumac can grow up to 15 feet, offering vibrant fall color in regions where other sumacs might struggle, making it a valuable species for expanding the palette of native plant options in landscaping.