Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–15 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to part. Spectacular orange-red fall color. Aggressive suckering — best for naturalized areas and slopes.
Colorado nativelow to medium water8–15 ft tall and 10–20 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Rhus glabra
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Laciniata'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 8–15 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun to part
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- green
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Good for
- slope
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Will form colonies via suckers — plant where spreading is acceptable.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Smooth sumac good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Smooth sumac is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Smooth sumac get?
- It matures to about 8–15 ft tall and 10–20 ft wide.
- How much water does Smooth sumac need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Smooth sumac native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
