American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Big lacy flower heads in summer give way to purple-black berries for both birds and your kitchen.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Jun–Jul
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- Fragrant Sumac
Yellow catkins
Shrub
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
A low, spreading shrub that blankets dry banks and blazes scarlet and orange in fall.
the Northeastthe Mid-Atlanticthe Southeastthe Midwestthe Great Plainsthe Mountain Westthe South-Central region
Growing Fragrant Sumac
The cultivar 'Gro-Low' makes one of the best large-scale native groundcovers for hot, dry slopes. Red fuzzy berries persist for birds into winter. It’s deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, good fall color, and easy to grow.
Where it grows
Fragrant Sumac is native to the Northeast. In the wild you’ll find it across Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois and 35 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.
Regional Garden shows Fragrant Sumac on 45 state pages.
Good for
Sourcing
Where to buy Fragrant Sumac
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.
Plant it with
Companions & kin.
Natives that share Fragrant Sumac’s range and conditions.
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Spherical white 'pincushion' flowers over standing water, swarmed by butterflies and bees.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
A compact, drought-proof shrub frothing with white flowers that pollinators and hummingbirds adore.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
A bulletproof hedge shrub with white spring flowers, blue fall berries, and burgundy autumn leaves.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun