Other Names:  Tobacco Sumac, Capulin, Lambrisco

Description:

A tough, southwestern native that is great for low-water sites; may be maintained as a small tree or massed as a hedge; showy flower clusters on female plants, produce interesting spikes of fuzzy red berries in late summer; good for slopes and firescaping

Ornamental Features

Evergreen Sumac features showy clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches from early to mid summer. It has attractive green foliage with light green veins which emerges coppery-bronze in spring. The small glossy oval pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries from late summer to early fall. The smooth gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Evergreen Sumac is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance shrub that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Evergreen Sumac is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Evergreen Sumac will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This is a dioecious species, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. Only the females will produce fruit, and a male variety of the same species is required nearby as a pollinator.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America..