Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
Fragrant Sumac attracts a wide variety of pollinators. The flowers attract many native bees and it is the host plant to the Red-banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, and 47 other butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). A large number of bird species have been observed eating the drupes, including songbirds, upland gamebirds, and woodpeckers (audubon.org). Some mammals use sumac as a source of food, browsing on the foliage and twigs, so protecting them until they are older may be helpful for establishment. Fragrant Sumac can spread to form colonies if it likes where it is planted (illinoiswildflowers.info)
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh
Fragrant Sumac attracts a wide variety of pollinators. The flowers attract many native bees and it is the host plant to the Red-banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, and 47 other butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). A large number of bird species have been observed eating the drupes, including songbirds, upland gamebirds, and woodpeckers (audubon.org). Some mammals use sumac as a source of food, browsing on the foliage and twigs, so protecting them until they are older may be helpful for establishment. Fragrant Sumac can spread to form colonies if it likes where it is planted (illinoiswildflowers.info)
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh
Fragrant Sumac attracts a wide variety of pollinators. The flowers attract many native bees and it is the host plant to the Red-banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, and 47 other butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). A large number of bird species have been observed eating the drupes, including songbirds, upland gamebirds, and woodpeckers (audubon.org). Some mammals use sumac as a source of food, browsing on the foliage and twigs, so protecting them until they are older may be helpful for establishment. Fragrant Sumac can spread to form colonies if it likes where it is planted (illinoiswildflowers.info)
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Medium-dry, Dry
Height: 6 feet
Plant Spacing: 2-3 feet
Bloom Time: June-August
Bloom Color: Yellow
Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant
Host Plant: Red-banded Hairstreak, Spring Azure, and 47 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
