Fragrant sumac is a North American deciduous plant. It has silky stems and branches, as well as gleaming turquoise foliage that switches colors ranging from yellow to red. When bruised, the stems and leaves emit a pleasant fragrance. The leaves are believed to resemble poison ivy; however, the plant is completely non-poisonous and even appealing to wild animals.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Rhus aromatica, the fragrant sumac, is a deciduous shrub in the family Anacardiaceae native to North America. It is found in southern Canada (Alberta to Quebec) and nearly all of the lower 48 states except peninsular Florida.
Fragrant sumac is a woody plant with a rounded form that grows to around 2 ft (0.6 m) to 5 ft (1.5 m) tall and 5 ft (1.5 m) to 10 ft (3.0 m) wide. The plant develops yellow flowers in clusters on short lateral shoots in March through May. The flower is a small, dense inflorescence that usually opens before the plant’s leaves do. Flowers and drupes appear earlier in the year than on other Sumac species.
The species is polygamodioecious (mostly dioecious, primarily bearing flowers of only one sex, but with either a few flowers of the opposite sex or a few bisexual flowers on the same plant). Male (staminate) flowers develop in yellowish catkins, while female (pistillate) flowers develop in short bright yellow panicles at the ends of branches.
Pollinated flowers develop clusters of 5 mm (0.2 in) to 7 mm (0.3 in) hairy red drupes containing a single nutlet during June through August. The fruits become an important winter food for birds and small mammals that can remain on the plant until spring if not eaten.
The plant’s alternate compound leaves have three leaflets that vary in shape, lobing, and margination. The unstalked leaflets are ovate to rhomboid, more or less wedge-shaped at the base, coarsely-toothed and usually shiny and glabrous above. The terminal leaflet is 3 cm (1.2 in) to 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long.
The plant’s green to glossy blue-green summer foliage becomes orange to red or purple in the fall. Stems are thin and brownish-gray, with rust-colored lenticels when young. Leaves and stems emit a lemon scent when crushed. There are no terminal buds, but overwintering male catkins are present.
The plant grows in deep shade to full sun and well-drained slightly acid soils to well-drained alkaline with a pH range of about 6.0 to 8.5. It has a shallow, fibrous root system and is easily transplanted. Some of its branches can trail upon the ground and develop roots. The plant can ground suckers to form a colony. Developed thickets provide cover for small mammals and birds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Fragrant sumac prefers full sun, but can also be grown in slight shade. It is recommended to plant it in a more open location that can provide it 6 or more hours of sunlight per day. When it gets adequate light, its leaves turn beautiful bright red or orange-yellow in fall.
Temperature
Fragrant sumac is distributed throughout temperate and subtropical regions, and prefers warm, humid conditions. It is hardy to cold and can tolerate low temperatures of -7 ℃. Fragrant sumac can tolerate some drought but not standing water, so do not plant it in low-lying locations. In rainy seasons or locations, pay attention to soil drainage to prevent root rot.
Watering
Fragrant sumac does not have a high water requirement. You should water it frequently right after transplanting and during the sapling stage, after which you can gradually reduce the frequency. Keep the soil moist during the seedling stage, but it is best not to overwater, so as to prevent leggy growth.
In spring, it’s sufficient to water deeply once a month. In summer, natural rainfall generally meets its needs, but you should apply additional watering during drought. Watering once in the late fall is sufficient for the whole winter.
Soil
Fragrant sumac is adaptable and can grow in many types of soil. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil of pH 5.5-7.5, but can adapt to mildly alkaline soil. Fragrant sumac can grow in poor gravelly soil under drought, but naturally, rich, fertile and well-drained soil is better for its growth.
Fertilizing
Fragrant sumac can tolerate poor soils, but adequate fertilizer will promote its growth and produce flourishing foliage. Before planting, thoroughly mix organic fertilizer into the soil to enrich the soil nutrients.
Right after planting, an application of urea once in spring promotes growth and reduces the risk of pests and diseases. An application of phosphorus-potassium-rich fertilizer in early summer promotes flowering. You can also use an organic fertilizer once in late fall to provide nutrients for the winter. Avoid using a large amount of fertilizer once; although it promotes the growth of fragrant sumac, it can result in increased susceptibility to pests, diseases, and frosts in winter.
Planting Instructions
Transplant fragrant sumac before it sprouts in spring or after leaves falling in fall. Start by digging a pit in a sunny, elevated place. The pit should be as deep as the height of the root ball, and wider than its width. These dimensions give the roots enough space to grow. Once planted, compact the soil and water deeply. Generally, the plant doesn’t need watering again after new buds sprout.
Pruning
Fragrant sumac does not require much pruning. Pruning some of the lower and side branches in winter to early spring is fine. During this period, fragrant sumac grows slowly, so pruning has less impact on the tree. Not only does pruning reduce wasted nutrients and promote plant growth, but it also helps the emergence of strong new branches in the following year, as well as gradual crown renewal. In daily maintenance, prune branches that are dry, overgrown, or infected with pests and diseases.
Propagation
Fragrant sumac can be propagated by sowing, division, and cutting. Cutting is the most effective and has the highest survival rate. Cut 15 to 20 cm-long branches and insert in soil. Propagation by cutting not only produces faster-growing trees, but preserves the good characteristics of the parent plant.
Pests and Diseases
Native pioneer species are tough, so it’s no surprise that the shrub has no serious insect pest or disease issues. Trying to grow it in wet soil is a mistake, and the lack of drainage can take out the plant. Occasionally fragrant sumac may have issues with leaf spots, rust, scales, aphids, or mites.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Fragrant sumac is often planted in groups to create an informal hedge or screen. It also provides good ground cover for sloping areas. Valued in all seasons, this fragrant spring butterfly and bee attractor also brings forth shades of bright reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn. Female plants provide small red summer fruits for local wildlife. Companion plants included Forsythia and Pine.
- Other uses
Historically, Native American tribes have used fragrant sumac to treat health problems and various illnesses. The ripe berries were made into a tart drink. In addition to this, the leaves and bark were used in leather making due to their high tannin content. To create a smoking mixture, the leaves were combined with tobacco.
A study showed strong antiviral activity against two types of herpes in vitro using aqueous extractions of R. aromatica.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Collect fragrant sumac seeds in the fall when the fruits turn red. Collect, wash, and dry the seeds and store them in a dry, cool place.
