Skunkbush Sumac

Skunkbush Sumac: A Hardy Native Shrub for Challenging Sites

Don’t let the name fool you – skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata) is actually a gardener’s secret weapon for tough growing conditions. This resilient native shrub might not have the most appealing common name, but it’s earned a devoted following among native plant enthusiasts for good reason.

What Is Skunkbush Sumac?

Skunkbush sumac is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 4 feet tall and wide at maturity. True to its growth habit, it develops several stems from the ground level, creating a naturally rounded, vase-shaped form. With a slow to moderate growth rate, this shrub takes its time to establish but rewards patience with decades of reliable performance.

Where Does It Naturally Grow?

This tough native calls both Canada and the lower 48 states home, with an impressive geographic range spanning from Alberta and Saskatchewan down through the western United States. You’ll find it thriving in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and extending eastward into states like Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and even Maryland.

Why Gardeners Love (and Sometimes Hesitate About) This Plant

Skunkbush sumac shines in situations where other plants struggle. Its exceptional drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils make it perfect for xeriscaping and naturalized areas. The plant offers year-round interest with small yellow flowers in early spring, dense green foliage through summer, and spectacular orange-red fall color that’s truly conspicuous. The bright red berries add another season of visual appeal.

However, gardeners should know that this shrub spreads by rhizomes and can form colonies over time. While this makes it excellent for erosion control and large naturalized areas, it might not be the best choice for formal garden beds where you want plants to stay put.

Perfect Garden Settings

Skunkbush sumac excels in:

• Native plant gardens
• Xeriscape and drought-tolerant landscapes
• Wildlife gardens
• Slopes needing erosion control
• Naturalized or restoration areas
• Challenging sites with poor soil

Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits

This shrub is a wildlife magnet. Its early spring blooms provide crucial nectar for bees and other pollinators when few other plants are flowering. The abundant red berries feed birds and small mammals throughout late summer and fall, while the dense branching structure offers nesting sites and shelter.

Growing Conditions and Hardiness

Skunkbush sumac is remarkably adaptable and extremely hardy, thriving in USDA zones 3-8. It can handle bone-chilling temperatures down to -53°F, making it one of the most cold-tolerant shrubs available.

This shrub prefers:

• Coarse to medium-textured, well-draining soils
• pH between 6.5-8.2
• Full sun to partial shade (intermediate shade tolerance)
• Low moisture conditions (8-20 inches annual precipitation)
• Areas with at least 140 frost-free days

Its medium drought tolerance and low fertility requirements make it perfect for sites where pampered plants would struggle.

Planting and Care Tips

Getting started with skunkbush sumac is straightforward:

• When to plant: Fall or early spring work best
• Spacing: Plant 680-2,728 shrubs per acre depending on desired density
• Propagation: Seeds require cold stratification, but the plant is routinely available in containers or as bare-root specimens
• Establishment: Water regularly the first year, then let nature take over
• Maintenance: Virtually none needed once established – this shrub thrives on neglect

The plant has good resprout ability if damaged and can handle moderate fire conditions, making it excellent for areas prone to wildfire.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant native shrub that provides four-season interest and supports wildlife, skunkbush sumac deserves serious consideration. While it may spread over time, this characteristic makes it invaluable for erosion control and creating naturalized habitats. Just give it room to roam, and this hardy native will reward you with years of trouble-free beauty.