When to Plant a Fragrant Sumac

Nursery Plants

• Most fragrant sumac varieties grow as native plants and aren't available at nurseries. The exception is the “Gro-low” variety, which is bred as a low-growing, spreading ground cover. Fragrant sumac suffers the least transplant stress when planted during the dormant season, which is usually in late winter after the ground thaws but before buds begin swelling. Although the plant may suffer some shock and a period of poor growth, sumac can be transplanted from nursery stock into spring and early summer. Late summer and fall plantings do not give the sumac enough time to reestablish roots before winter.

Seed

• Sumac grows readily from seed, making it possible to grow any variety of fragrant sumac. The seeds require scarification and cold stratification to germinate successfully. Soak them overnight in a bowl of hot water prior to planting to weaken the seed coat and aid germination. Cold stratification is best achieved by planting the sumac seeds outdoors in fall so they experience the natural cold of winter. Springs warming weather signals the seed to break dormancy and start sending up new growth.

Division

• Dividing the plant at the roots creates two plants. Fragrant sumac sends up suckers from rhizome-like roots, so you only need to dig around the base of one sucker stem and cut the root free from the main root system. The rhizome supports the transplanted sucker as the rest of the root system forms. Plant the divisions in late winter during the dormant period. The new plant quickly begins expanding its root system and establishing in spring when new growth resumes.

Cuttings

• Cuttings, like divided plants, result in a quick-growing plant that begins flowering more quickly than sumac started from seed. The best time to take and plant a cutting is in mid to late spring, when the fragrant sumac is actively growing. Plant only newer first-year stems, either in a pot indoors or outdoors in the garden if all frost danger has passed. The stem forms new roots in four to six weeks if cut and cared for properly.