Lane Greer
Family
Ericaceae
Botanical Name
Oxydendrum arboreum
Plant Common Name
Sourwood
General Description
Sourwood is one of the finest native trees of the American Southeast. This slow-growing, pyramidal tree has lustrous, mildly wavy, dark green leaves that turn yellow, orange and red in autumn. Across the midsummer, the branch tips are graced with long, airy clusters of white, pendant urn-shaped flowers that emit a mild fragrance. The seeds ripen brown, but the seed capsules turn silvery-gray eventually and linger into the winter. Young branches are drab green or a robust red.
Sourwood needs an average, well-drained acidic soil and full to partial sun. As it is slow-growing, it does not compete well with other plants or turfgrass and resents root disturbance. For this reason, it is best planted as a specimen with a large mulched area over its root zone. Sourwood is lovely in a woodland garden, mixed border, or as a container specimen when in its youth.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 3
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
-
Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
-
Plant Type
Tree
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Height
15'-50' / 4.6m - 15.2m (30)
-
Width
12'-20' / 3.7m - 6.1m
-
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
-
Native To
Southeastern United States
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Brown
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Orange Red
-
Bark Color
Brown
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
Yes
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
Yes
