Sumac - dwarfs

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

Let's discuss sumac please. From some of my research it seems like it might work in some of my dry spots where I need naturalized bushes to hide a fence, but I'm looking for something perhaps 6' high maximum.

it seems there are 3 species to consider, r. Glabra, r. Typhina, and r. Copallina.

also seems like the bushes are either male or female, only the females setting fruit/berries.

apparently there are "cut leaf" or lacinata cultivars of both staghorn (typhina) and smooth (glabra) sumac, but these get rather large?

theres a dwarf cultivar of shining (copallina) sumac named "prairie flame" which stays around 6' supposedly but it's a male plant which won't set fruit.

questions:

1. Anyone know of a dwarf female that can be planted with "prairie flame" for x-pollination purposes?

2. Anyone know of any cutleaf dwarf cultivars of any of these species?

3. Anyone in the mid-Atlantic successfully growing sumac, generally speaking, and if so would you recommend it?

thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Select Landscapes of Iowa

10 years ago

Based on the information given any sumac will work. Our favorite for overall foliage effect is Rhus copallina 'Prairie Flame' (the one you are thinking of going with). It will easily reach 6' given 4 or 5 years in the ground.

Your best bet is to use them as prune-back plants where you either cut them all the way to the ground each season (they will be 3-5' tall by the end of the year) or let a colony form and selectively cut out the taller stems as needed to maintain the colony at the size you want it.

'Tiger Eyes' is another good selection although fall color can be variable here in Iowa. 'Prairie Flame' is always a great mix of red and orange. Keep in mind it is one of the last plants to leaf out and loses its leaves pretty quickly in the fall. Any of the cut-leaf forms will also work well. Good luck!

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Comments (6)

Embothrium
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
What would ordinarily be considered the dwarf sumacs are R. aromatica (a small shrub), R. copallina (dwarf sumac is an actual common name for this small to medium-sized shrub) or R. trilobata (a small shrub closely related to R. aromatica). However the foliage of the R. typhina [Tiger Eyes] = 'Bailtiger' is so sensational that one is probably the sumac most worthy of consideration for decorative planting on the market today. And it appears to have the same comparatively low, mounding and spreading habit as R. typhina 'Dissecta' ('Laciniata').
mattp321 thanked Embothrium
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Rhus typhina 'Baitiger' (tradename Tiger Eyes), is a dwarf lacinated form. It is very widely sold for its compact size (6') and tendency not to sucker nearly as readily as the species. And its bright chartreuse-gold foliage that is known for developing excellent fall color. It is a female clone but is reputed to develop some fruit even without a male present. FWIW, the production of berries would not be a primary reason for planting sumac in my world but your reasons may vary :-))

Edited to add: sorry about duplicating the same information.......was writing at the same time the others were posting!!
mattp321 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
mattp321
Original Author
10 years ago
Great info thanks! Can tiger eyes grow in an extremely dry situation?
Embothrium
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
It being a yellow foliage form it may be less tough in this respect than the typical species and other green sumac. According to the patent description

The plant performs best in sunny setting and once established is relatively drought tolerant

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=PP16,185.PN.&OS=PN/PP16,185&RS=PN/PP16,185
mattp321
Original Author
10 years ago
Great thanks. If I do this I will probably just be safe and go for the prairie flame.

gardengal - while the ultimate point of my gardening endeavors is creating privacy in my yard (blocking my neighbors views etc), I've decided to take the opportunity to create some bee/butterfly/bird food while I'm at it because my wife & I enjoy watching them. Hence, my preference for x-pollinating plants in my hedges. That being said, even if this cultivar is all-male, I suppose it will still attract some bees & butterflies during the summer... Just no bird food (or fresh fattoush salad for me)

thanks everyone you are very helpful as always