This suckering shrub has an upright spreading bushy habit with a dense crown and reddish stems with divided leaves with oblong bluish-green leaflets that turn dark red in autumn and the yellow-green flowers appear during summer in conical heads followed by red fruit.

Hardiness zones 2 to 9 

Rhus glabra is naturally found in eastern North America and Mexico preferring moist but well drained soils that are moderately fertile. It prefers a sunny wind protected position and is frost tolerant but drought tender.

Smooth Sumac is grown for its luxurious foliage and autumn colour. It is planted in parks and gardens along shrub borders or as a lawn specimen. It is suitable for cool climate gardens on the coast and inland and establishes in 1 to 2 years from division. It may be cut back hard to form a bushy shrub annually or biennialy trimmed to form an informal hedge. ID 1622

Rhus (rus) glabra (GLAB-ra)

Anacardiaceae (an-a-kard-ee-AY-see-ee)