Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

rounded leaves of the fragrant sumac with clumps of red berry-like fruits
“Rhus aromatica” by James St. John, via Flickr. (cropped from original) CC BY 2.0.
bush of fragrant sumac with clumps of red berry-like fruits
“2009.08.27_18.58.44_CIMG2449” by Andrey Zharkikh, via Flickr. CC BY 2.0.

Ecological Benefits: attracts pollinators such as bees, Swallowtail Butterflies, and hummingbirds

Bloom period: flowers in early spring, red drupes in late summer to fall

Best Areas for Planting: low to high moisture, full sun to half shade, well-drained soil and is adaptable

Natural Habitat: can be found in dry, rocky forests, woodlands, and clearings

Most of the species information is from The Virginia Native Plant Society website, which offers free, extensive pdfs for each region of Virginia, highlighting about 100 native species (there are many more!) and helpful additional information for planning personal projects. If you aren’t from Virginia, you can search for similar resources in your state! To explore other resources and advice, navigate to the guidance page.

Visit the homepage to explore other sites and learn more about native plants.