"Fragrant" Sumac is Great Groundcover for Natural Areas

  Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making it Grow. Rhus aromatica, or fragrant sumac, may not quite be worthy of the name fragrant. Other common names are skunkbush or polecatbush so smell, like beauty, maybe in the eyes or nose of the beholder or sniffer as the case may be. This sumac member is relatively slow-growing, topping out at about 7 feet, and grows in both sun and shade. Michael Dirr recommends this smaller sumac as a good choice for an exposed, dry area where it will get little care or maintenance. . Now, this nursery industry offers Rhus aromatic ‘Gro-Low’ which is only two feet tall at maturity but spreads eight feet and has shiny green leaves, turning to red in the fall, and with small clusters of red fruit. It is virtually indestructible and would be a great ground cover for natural areas in parks and in transition zones between landscaped areas and neighboring woodlands.