rhus

( ROOS )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees needs full sun and regular to moderate water. These plants will attract birds to your garden. Commonly called Sumac 9or Sumach), these trees have great fall leaf color. Female trees produce showy clusters of red fruits, and all trees in the genus have the tendency to produce suckers. 

rhus Species and Varietals

The genus Rhus is a member of the plant family Anacardiaceae, and includes The best growing zones for Sumac vary depending on the species; for more information, read the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Rhus aromatica (Fragrant Sumac)
This deciduous shrub is native to North America, and is a woody plant that reaches between 2 and 5 feet tall when mature, and stretches to between 5 and 10 feet wide. Flowers are yellow and bloom March through May. Leaves and stems emit a lemony scent when crushed or cut. These plants are not commonly used for landscaping, but are handy for erosion control in hard-to-cover areas. 

Rhus chinensis (Chinese Sumac, Nutgall Tree)
This species forms a deciduous shrub or small tree that reaches to 20 feet tall and has foliage that turns red in fall. These plants are native to east and south Asia. 

Rhus copallinum (Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac, Dwarf Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac)
This species is native to eastern North America, and forms a 11-18 foot tall deciduous tree. These trees are often cultivated, and are well-suited for informal landscapes, where its spread can provide shrubby cover for local wildlife. Flowers are yellow, fruits will attract birds.

Rhus coriaria (Sicilian Sumac, Tanner's Sumach, Elm-Leaved Sumac)
This species is a deciduous shrub to small tree that is antive to southern Europe and western Asia. Dried fruits are used as a spice (Za'atar) in some areas of its native range. These trees can grow in a variety of soils as long as they are well-draining.

Rhus copallina (Shining Sumac)
This species does well in zones 2-9 and 14-18 and takes the form of a deciduous shrub or tree that spreads widely via suckering. They top out around 10-30 feet tall and have brilliant red color in fall. Summertime flower spikes are followed by clusters of dark red, fuzzy fruits.

Rhus glabra (Smooth Sumac, White Sumac, Upland Sumac, Scarlet Sumac)
This deciduous shrub or tree grows well in zones 1-10 and 14-17 and is native to North America. It reaches 10 feet tall and spreads widely by suckers. If grown as a tree, this plant can reach around 20 feet tall. Leaves are deep green above, white underneath. Fall color is deep red. Early summertime flowers are inconspicuous but are followed by showy fruit clusters that hang on into wintertime.

​Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry, Lemonade Sumac, Lemonadeberry)
These shrubs are evergreen, and grow well in zones 8, 9, 14-17, and 19-24. They are native to southern California, the Channel Islands, and Baja California. They commonly reach 3-10 feet tall, but if grown as a tree, can reach up to 30 feet tall. Leaves are dark green and leathery, and midwinter to springtime flowers are white or pink-tinted. Fruits produced by these plants are gummy, but are used to flavor drinks, hence the common name. Great as a large-scale groundcover, as a windbreak, screening or background plant, or as an espalier against walls and fences. These plants can also be used as a formal hedge, if sheared and maintained. Useful for erosion control, but very susceptible to Verticillium Wilt.

Rhus kearneyi (Kearney's Sumac)
This species is native to western North America and forms a shrub or small tree to 13 feet tall. Twigs and leaf petioles are red, and flowers are cream to pink in color. 

​Rhus lancea (African Sumac)
Best in zones 8, 9, and 12-24, this slow-growing evergreen species reaches 20-30 feet tall and 20-35 feet wide, with an open, spreading habit. Branches are graceful and weeping, and leaves are dark green. Early springtime flowers are inconspicuous and are followed by small yellow or red fruits (which can be messy!). Can be trained into a small tree or hedge, and is useful as a screening, background or specimen plant as well. Can take desert heat, but is susceptible to Texas Root Rot.

Rhus lanceolata (Prairie Sumac)
These shrubs or small trees can reach up to 30 feet tall, and reproduces via underground rhizomes. Flowers are white to greenish, and fruits that follow blooms are bird favorites. These plants are native to Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.

Rhus michauxii (False Poison Sumac, Michaux's Sumac)
Endemic to the southeastern United States, these plants are considered endangered due to habitat degradation. This species forms a small, hairy shrub up to 1-2 feet tall. Flowers are white to greenish yellow, and fruits are red drupes that develop in late summer and early fall.

Rhus ovata (Schmaltzia ovata) (Sugar Sumac, Sugar Bush)
This deciduous shrub is best in zones 9-12 and 14-24, and reaches 4-10 feet tall and wide, though size varies somewhat. These shrubs are native to Arizona, southern California and Baja California. Leaves are leathery and glossy, and flowers are white or pink, blooming in large clusters in springtime. Fruit that follows is reddish and hairy. This species is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.

Rhus sandwicensis (neneleau, Neleau, Hawaiian Sumac)
This species forms a small tree to between 15 and 25 feet tall and is endemic to Hawai'i. The specific epithet refers to the 'Sandwich Islands' (the name Captain Cook had bestowed upon the islands). These trees prefer dry costal climates as well as wet forested areas. 

​Rhus trilobata (Squawbush, Skunkbush, Sourberry, Three-Leaf Sumac)
This deciduous shrub species does well in zones 1-12 and 14-21 and is native to the western -central United States to Texas and California and north to Washington. It has a clumping habit, and creates a natural low hedge that is wonderful for erosion control purposes. Fall color is bright yellow and red. The common name of this species comes from the fact that the leaves, when crushed, produce a somewhat unpleasant smell.

​Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac)
This deciduous shrub or tree grows well in zones A1-A3, 1-10 and 14-17 and is native to eastern North America. The common name for this plant comes from the fact that the branches are covered in small hairs, as are the antlers of a deer. Leaves are dark green above, greyish underneath, and turn yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Flowers are greenish, and bloom in early summer; these are followed by fruits that are fuzzy and crimson, staying on the plant through wintertime. Can be grown in a container. Varieties include 'Laciniata' (A female plant with deeply cut leaflets to 10-12 feet tall) and 'Tiger Eyes' (with golden foliage reaching 6 feet tall and wide).

Rhus virens (Evergreen Sumac, Tobacco Sumac, Lambrisco, Lentrisco)
This almost evergreen species of Sumac is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern and central areas of Mexico. These shrubs or small trees reach between 6 and 10 feet tall, and have spreading branches. Flowers are inconspicuous and greenish white, and fruits that follow are red when ripe in September. These plants can make great thick privacy screening plants, or can be trimmed into a tree. These are fast-growing and will drop their leaves for week-long period at the end of wintertime. 

Caring for and pruning rhus Trees

Propagation

Problems and Pests

  • Verticillium Wilt

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Sumac
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 564 - 565, Rhus
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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