Smaller than other species in the Rhus genus, the Fragrant Sumac is a North American Native plant that forms a dense, low spreading shrub or groundcover typically reaching 2 to 4 feet tall in the landscape and up to 6 feet under ideal conditions in the wild. It spreads slowly to 6 to 10 feet wide and is excellent for use as a soil stabilizer on slopes or in sunny to partially shaded landscape or woodland borders. In early spring, it features abundant clusters of small yellow flowers appearing at the ends of almost every twig on the plant before the foliage appears. Male and female flowers can appear on the same or separate plants, with the females producing clusters of attractive red berries in late summer that many wildlife species will appreciate. The fruits of Fragrant Sumac can be soaked in cold water to make a very tasty and refreshing lemonade-like drink. The dried fruits can be crushed to make a lemony spice. The fragrant blue-green leaves, which have a lemony scent when crushed, turn to beautiful shades of orange, red and reddish-purple in the fall. The many fine attributes including outstanding fall color and high tolerance to drought, erosion, cold (-40F), heat, disease, insects, clay and dry rocky soil, and the many benefits to wildlife make the Fragrant Sumac an easy-to-grow worthy addition to any landscape, native garden or naturalized area. Get all the details below