A rambling bush perfect as a space filler or visual barrier! Foliage is fragrant when crushed, and fall colors are reliably lovely. Berries often last into the winter and are eaten by a variety of birds. Plants provide the best wildlife support when allowed to sucker and form colonies. Prefers part sun and dryer soils, but adapts to medium soil if competition is kept to a minimum.

Pollination: Male and female needed. Our plants are too young to be sexed.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Shade

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic, Dry

Soil Type: Adaptable 

Height: 2’-8’

Width: 6’-10’ 

Bloom Color: Yellow

Bloom Time: Apr

Fruit: Drupes (berries) turn red when the mature in fall.

Fall Color: Red, Yellow, Orange

Root Type: Rhizome 

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract mainly small bees and flies. Hosts the red-banded hairstreak and spring azure butterflies, moths such as owlet and prominent moths, and other insects including long-horned beetles, plant bugs, and leafhoppers. Berries are eaten by a variety of birds including thrushes, woodpeckers, jays, vireos, and waxwings. Commonly browsed by deer and rabbits.

Notes: Opinions on the crushed foliage’s scent varies- some report a lemon-like smell, others claim it’s skunky. Because of this, other common names include lemon-scented sumac, skunk bush, and polecat bush, which is delightful.