How to Grow Low Sumac Shrubs

Low sumac shrub is not related to the poisonous variety of sumac, and they are hardy in zones 3 through 9. The low sumac grows 1 to 2 feet in height, but it spreads by underground root suckers and can fill in an area that is 8 feet wide. The foliage of the low sumac shrub is green through the summer, but in autumn, the leaves change to shades of red and orange. Brush against this plant and a sweet fragrance fills the air. Female flowers provide small clusters of hairy red berries in late summer to feed wildlife.

Things You'll Need

Shovel

Compost

Instructions

- 1
  Dig a hole that is the same depth as the container and twice the diameter of the container.
- 2
  Fill the hole with water and allow the water to drain away naturally.
- 3
  Amend the soil that you removed from the hole with some compost. The compost adds nutrients to the soil to help the low sumac shrub to grow. Add compost at the ratio of 3 parts soil to 1 part compost.
- 4
  Remove the low sumac shrub from the pot. Lay the pot on its side and press the outside of the pot. This will loosen the dirt around the perimeter of the pot, but don't push on the pot so hard that you break up the root ball.
- 5
  Position the low sumac shrub's root ball in the center of the hole. Push the soil in place around the root ball. Keep the top of the root ball the same level as the ground.
- 6
  Water the low sumac shrub deeply. Turn the water hose on at a slow flow and allow the water to run until the ground is saturated. Keep the ground evenly moist, but not soggy wet, until the sumac is established.

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