Sumac: A Native Minnesota Landscape Favorite for Fall Color and Wildlife
Known for their vibrant fall foliage and unique seed clusters, sumacs are a vital part of Minnesota's native plant landscape. These hardy shrubs and small trees are perfectly adapted to Minnesota’s climate, making them an ideal choice for local gardens. If you’re looking to enhance your yard with low-maintenance, beautiful plants, sumacs might be the perfect fit.
At Copper Creek Greenhouse in Nisswa, we love helping our customers explore the benefits of sumacs, especially as their stunning fall colors start to pop. Here’s everything you need to know about sumacs, including which species thrive in Minnesota and how to care for them.
Types of Sumac: Choosing the Right Species for Your Landscape
There are several species of sumac that thrive in Minnesota. Each has its unique characteristics, but they all bring incredible fall color and wildlife benefits to your garden.
1. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Description: Staghorn sumac is the most recognizable sumac in Minnesota. It can grow up to 25 feet tall, with large, velvety branches resembling deer antlers. In fall, the leaves turn fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Habitat: Thrives in well-drained soils, often found along roadsides and open fields. It’s a popular choice for erosion control.
Identification: Look for large, fuzzy red fruit clusters that remain on the plant through winter.
Additional: In addition to the Staghorn Sumac, the 'Tiger Eyes' variety offers a compact, dwarf form that brings a new level of beauty to your landscape. Growing to just 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, it features stunning golden leaves that make it a standout. At Copper Creek, the Tiger Eyes Sumac is a favorite among both staff and customers, and you can spot it around our patio and garden beds for a touch of vibrant color.
2. Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
Description: Similar to staghorn sumac but without the velvety branches, smooth sumac reaches about 15 feet tall. It shares the same brilliant fall color display.
Habitat: Highly adaptable, smooth sumac grows in a range of soil types, from rocky to sandy. It is commonly found in prairies and woodlands.
Identification: Smooth stems and bright red fruit clusters distinguish this sumac from its staghorn cousin.
3. Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
Description: Poison sumac is less common but can be found in wet, swampy areas of Minnesota. Its glossy leaves turn yellow-orange in the fall.
Habitat: Prefers bogs and marshy areas.
Identification: Unlike the other sumacs, poison sumac produces white or greyish fruit clusters. Caution: Avoid contact with poison sumac as it can cause skin irritation similar to poison ivy.
4. Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low')
Description: Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac is a low-growing, spreading shrub commonly used as a ground cover in Minnesota landscapes. Its trifoliate leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall, offering stunning seasonal color.
Habitat: This sumac thrives in a wide variety of soils, including dry, rocky, or sandy areas, making it highly adaptable to challenging sites.
Identification: Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac features glossy green leaves with a pleasant scent when crushed and produces small yellow flowers in spring, followed by red, hairy fruit clusters. It is non-toxic and makes an excellent choice for erosion control and low-maintenance landscapes.
Why Sumacs Are Perfect for Minnesota Landscapes
Sumacs are not only beautiful but also incredibly functional in Minnesota’s landscape.
Cold-Hardy and Drought-Tolerant
Sumacs are well-suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, covering most of Minnesota. Once established, they’re drought-tolerant, thriving even during dry summer periods.
Erosion Control and Soil Stabilization
Thanks to their extensive root systems, sumacs are excellent for preventing soil erosion, making them ideal for slopes and embankments.
Wildlife Benefits
Sumacs provide essential food and habitat for wildlife. Their red fruit clusters, rich in vitamin C, are a vital winter food source for birds such as wild turkeys and songbirds. The dense growth also provides shelter for small animals.
Stunning Fall Colors and Low-Maintenance Landscaping
Sumacs are a favorite for fall landscaping because of their vibrant colors, ranging from deep reds to brilliant yellows. They are easy to maintain, requiring minimal watering once established, and are resistant to pests and diseases.
Uses of Sumac in Landscaping
Naturalized Gardens: Perfect for creating natural borders or wild areas.
Erosion Control: Ideal for stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion.
Ornamental Planting: Their fall color and unique structure make sumacs a beautiful focal point in any garden.
How to Plant and Care for Sumac in Minnesota
Selecting the Right Species
The two most common sumac species for Minnesota gardens are Staghorn Sumac and Smooth Sumac. Both are hardy and thrive in our climate. However, avoid planting poison sumac due to its skin-irritating properties.
Ideal Planting Conditions
Sunlight: Sumacs prefer full sun to partial shade, needing at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Soil: These adaptable plants can grow in sandy, rocky, or well-drained soils. They are a great choice for challenging locations.
Space: Sumacs spread via root suckers, so plant them in areas where they have room to expand without overtaking other plants.
Planting Tips
Timing: The best time to plant sumac is in spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate.
Watering: Water regularly after planting until the roots are established. Once mature, sumacs require little to no watering.
Maintenance
Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and control their spread.
Managing Spread: If you want to limit the spread of sumacs, regularly remove root suckers or plant them in areas with natural barriers like driveways or sidewalks.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weed competition.
Sumac: A Beautiful, Beneficial Addition to Your Garden
Adding sumac to your landscape not only enhances the beauty of your yard, but also supports local wildlife and helps with erosion control. Whether you’re looking for a pop of fall color or a hardy, low-maintenance plant, sumacs are an excellent choice.
Visit Copper Creek Greenhouse in Nisswa to learn more about how you can incorporate sumacs into your landscape. Our garden experts are ready to help you select the perfect plants for your yard. Stop by today or visit us online for more tips and advice!
Happy Planting!