Plant of the Week- October 20

Rhus typhina--Staghorn Sumac Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8 Height: 12 ft Spread: 15 ft Form: upright spreading Type: deciduous shrub Annual Growth Rate: more than 18 inches Fruit: red Comments: Sumacs are among the most adaptable shrubs but can become weedy because they spread by underground stems and produce prolific suckers. Staghorn Sumac grows rapidly, tolerates most exposures and poor soil but is short-lived and is susceptible to verticillium wilt. The main ornamental feature is bright red fall color. Keep suckers controlled to keep the plant within its allotted space. The showy red fruits are produced in terminal panicles and add another landscape feature. Cultivars: 'Laciniata' - A cut-leafed form that can attain an unusual shape and develop orange fall color. Rhus glabra--Smooth Sumac Hardiness Zones: 2 to 9 Height: 10 ft Spread: 10 ft Form: rounded Type: deciduous shrub Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches Comments: Smooth Sumac is a spreading, suckering plant that is grown for its tolerant nature rather than its ornamental traits. The bright red fall color is its most important ornamental characteristic. The plant is an excellent choice on sites with poor soil. Keep the roots confined with a below ground barrier that goes at least 12 inches into the soil to prevent the suckers from invading other parts of your garden. Cultivars: 'Cismontana' - A more drought tolerant, western ecotype. 'Laciniata' - The leaves are finely divided. Rhus trilobata--Skunkbush Sumac Hardiness Zones: 4 to 6 Height: 5 ft Spread: 5 ft Form: rounded Type: deciduous shrub Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches Comments: Skunkbush Sumac is native shrub and is a good choice for dry sites or those with a high pH. The plant is very similar to R. aromatic. The fall color is combinations of yellow, orange and red. Larry A. Sagers Regional Horticulturist Utah State University Thanksgiving Point Office