SUMAC GRO-LOW

Rhus aromatica

When you add the Gro-Low sumac (Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low‘) as a groundcover plant, your open space can flourish with dark foliage. Since these sumacs hardly require much water, they do well in a variety of conditions. This is the perfect choice for those who want a low-maintenance shrub. The Gro-Low sumac makes an exceptional addition to any landscape.

Gro-Low Sumac Attributes

As the weather warms up in the spring, you can enjoy the small yellow flowers that bloom on this sumac. The branches feature small leaflets of glossy dark foliage. Those round leaves last throughout the season. If you have a female plant, you can expect to see tiny fruit in the autumn. All the Gro-Low sumacs put on a striking display of colors during the fall. Plum and orange hues dazzle your yard as the leaves transform from the dark summer foliage.

These hard-working shrubs need plenty of space to spread out, and they will grow quickly in your yard. The Gro-Low sumacs can expand to a width of 6 to 8 feet, and they have a height of 2 feet.

Details

FEATURES

Watering Needs: Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat.
Botanical Pronunciation: roos a-roh-MAT-ik-a
Plant type: Shrub
Deciduous/evergreen: Deciduous
Growth rate: Fast
Average landscape size: Quickly reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall, spreading 6 to 8 ft. wide.
Special features: Easy Care, Fall Color, Fast Growing, Waterwise
Dramatic Foliage: Color, Easy Care
Foliage color: Green
Blooms: Inconspicuous; prized for foliage.
Flower color: Yellow
Flower attributes: Fragrant, Showy Flowers
Garden style: Cottage, Rustic
Design Ideas: A beautiful spreading bank cover that can take poor, dry soil. Also a fine plant to include in the border with perennials and taller shrubs.
Companion Plants: Pine (Pinus); Forsythia (Forsythia); Rose (Rosa); Euonymus (Euonymus); Maiden Grass (Miscanthus)

Gro-Low Sumac Landscape Uses

For those steep yards, the Gro-Low sumac can be utilized as a central ornamental feature. If you have a flat site, then you should create a raised berm and use these sumacs as accent pieces. Gro-Low sumacs thrive in raised planters, especially in those hot and dry areas. Their adaptability allows them to be placed on top of stone or brick retaining walls. The Gro-Low sumac looks fabulous in a mass planting. You will want to plant these shrubs 3 feet from the center to fill in any bare spaces.

These shrubs can be accented with large boulders. The Gro-Low sumac holds in those loose soils on an embankment. For commercial properties, the Gro-Low sumac is an excellent shrub for parking lots and raised planters. Since they can thrive in hot and dry environments, you can use them as an edging plant in large scale plantings.

For home landscapes, these shrubs will boost your curb appeal when you add them along a terrace or driveway. Since they are tolerant of road salt, you can even use these sumacs as long street plantings in your neighborhood. With a fragrant scent, this shrub is very attractive to bees and butterflies. You will want to plant it in a space where you can watch these creatures flutter among the shrubs.

Gro-Low Sumac Planting and Care

For vibrant autumn colors, it is best to place them in full sunshine. This versatile Gro-Low sumac can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. If you live in an area with rocky soils, then the Gro-Low sumac is an excellent choice for your yard. These shrubs can grow in any type of well-draining soil. It can adapt to both acidic and alkaline conditions. Younger plants need regular watering to thrive. Once the plant has become established in your yard, it will be very tolerant of dry climates.

You will want to prune the Gro-Low sumac in the early spring. However, you can still trim a rogue branch during any time of the year. Before the leaves develop for the season, you should cut down the sumac’s height in the early spring. With this pruning, you can control the spread of this shrub. The Gro-Low sumac is usually resistant to rabbits and deer. Some young plants may be tempting to deer as they try to nibble on the tender green leaves.

Add the Gro-Low Sumac To Your Collection

Rhus aromatica

If you want a hardy shrub for your landscape, then it may be time to add the Gro-Low sumac to your inventory. This shrub requires little maintenance, and it provides a colorful addition to any space. You can marvel at the shades of color that range from reddish-purple to harvest orange. With its gorgeous looks, this shrub will become a treasured element in your landscape. Now is the time to order the Gro-Low sumac for your next project.

At Arbor Valley Nursery, we can help with all your planting and landscaping jobs. We have a large selection of trees, plants, and shrubs, including the spectacular Gro-Low sumac. This hardy plant makes an excellent addition to any space. Our team can make suggestions about other plants and trees that pair well with this particular species. If you want to purchase this shrub for your landscaping or garden business, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.