Fragrant sumac
Rhus aromatica
Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–3 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. 'Gro-Low' is the ubiquitous Front Range ground-cover-shrub form, 2-3 ft tall × 6-8 ft wide. Brilliant red fall color.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water2–3 ft tall and 6–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Rhus aromatica
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Gro-Low'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–3 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hellstrips / parking strips
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySuckers from roots; useful for slopes, problematic in borders
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, shortgrass prairie
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; minimal after. Suckering spread fills beds over 3–5 years.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fragrant sumac good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Fragrant sumac is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Fragrant sumac?
- The main things to know: Suckers from roots; useful for slopes, problematic in borders It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Fragrant sumac get?
- It matures to about 2–3 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Fragrant sumac?
- Space Fragrant sumac about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Fragrant sumac hardy on the Front Range?
- Fragrant sumac is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Fragrant sumac need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Fragrant sumac grow?
- Fragrant sumac is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Fragrant sumac turn in fall?
- Fragrant sumac turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Fragrant sumac native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Fragrant sumac deer-resistant?
- Fragrant sumac is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Fragrant sumac a good firewise plant near the house?
- Fragrant sumac is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Fragrant sumac prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Fragrant sumac has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
