Bring the Outdoors Home

Flameleaf Sumac | Plant Profile

Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus copallinum) are large deciduous shrubs that are native to Pennsylvania. They can be commonly found along roadsides, hills, and open woodlands. These multistemmed shrubs easily spread to create colonies. Yellow, pyramidal flowers grow on the tops of stems. As indicated by the name, the small leaves turn red in fall.

Flameleaf Sumac prefers average fertility, dry to medium moisture, well drained soils in full sun to part shade. Their abundance in the wild demonstrates that they tolerate a wide range of soils, aside of those that are poorly drained.

Flameleaf Sumac should be used in naturalized garden locations rather than formal landscaping. Their aggressive spread and weedy nature can make yards appear messy. Flameleaf Sumac are best utilized on hillsides and dry woodland locations to assist with erosion control.

Description

Flameleaf Sumac Characteristics

Flameleaf Sumac are multistemmed shrubs with attractive fall color and large yellow flower panicles. They can spread aggressively despite being dioecious, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. In order for propagation to occur, female plants must be pollinated by a nearby male plant. Pollinated female flowers produce berries that are attractive to wildlife.

There are few serious disease or insect issues that plague Flameleaf Sumac. While leaf spot, rusts, scale, and mites are possible, they are rarely fatal.

USDA Climate Zone
Zones 4 - 9
Height
7.00 - 15.00'
Spread
10.00 - 20.00'
Bloom Time
July - August
Water
Dry - Medium
Sun
Full Sun - Part Shade
Maintenance
Medium
Deer Resistant?
No