Perennial Ground Covers

Extrait :

Rhus aromatica PLATE 263
Fragrant Sumac, Sweet-scented Sumac, Lemon

Sumac, Polecat Bush

A low, variable-sized, dense, suckering, woody shrub that reaches V/2 to 6 feet tall and spreads 6 to 10 feet across, fragrant sumac is not showy; however, it does have significant ornamental attributes and, in certain demanding situations, performs like few others. It is valuable as a salt-tolerant erosion-controlling cover for batiks and slopes. It is a tough ground cover for northern climates, and for general use in large-sized or moderate-sized areas, particularly along highways, in median strips, and close to

parking areas. It seldom fails. Since it is aggressive and woody, it does not combine well with many other plants, but in front of tall, coarse-barked trees, it makes an acceptable facing plant. No foot traffic is tolerated.

The fruit of this species, like other species of Rhus, particularly R. trilobata is lemon-flavored and edible. Typically, the pulp is removed from the fruit and used as an ingredient in jellies. The fruit is also used to make a very tasty lemonade-like beverage.

SCIENTIFIC NAmE: Rhus aromatica (roos air-oh- mat-ika). Rhus is an ancient Greek naine for this genus. Aromatica, aromatic, refers to the scented foliage.

HARDINESS / ORIGIN: Zones 3 to 9; eastern North America from Vermont and Ontario to Minnesota, south to Florida and Louisiana.

LEAVES / FLOWERS / FRUIT: If not showy, at least the deciduous leaves are interesting, resembling miniature oak leaves, and like some of the oaks, their glossy greenness turns to vibrant yellow or scarlet during autumn. Each is rather oval with significant lobes along the edges. They range from 11/2 to 3 inches long, are grouped in threes (the central one being larger than the two that are paired at its base). Best fall color occurs when grown in full sun with welldrained soil. The leaves typically are fragrant when crushed. The flowers, which may be male, female, or both, are borne in elongate clusters called catkins or in a more rounded arrangement known as a pariicle. In either case, they are more curious than showy and appear very early in the spring, before the leaves even begin to unfold. The fruit that follows is red, '/4 inch across, effective from late summer to early fall, and often persists, becoming brownish, into winter. Sometimes it is eaten by wildlife.

RATE / SPACING: Growth is slow at first then moderare. Plants from 1- to 2-gallon-sized containers are spaced 3/2 to 4/2 feet apart.

HORTICULTURAL SELECTIONS:'Gro-low', more readily available than the species, with a low, widespreading habit, 2 feet tall by up to 8 feet wide.

CULTURE / CARE: Although fragrant sumac is adaptable to most well-drained. soils, its best growth is displayed in infertile, dry, well-drained soils of moderate acidity. Established plants are well equipped to withstand drought, yet they welcome an occasional deep watering during the hottest days of summer. Plants prefer full suri. to moderate shade. Pests include aphids, mites, and scales. Diseases such as fusarium wilt, cankers, leaf spots, powdery mildew, rusts, and root rot are also at times problematic. Maintenance typically consists of pruning out branches in spring that may have broken during winter.

PROPAGATION : Cuttings are probably the easiest way in which to propagate fragrant sumac. About 70 percent of cuttings taken during the first few weeks of summer will root.

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