Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' (Fragrant Sumac)

Rhus aromatica 'Gro Low' is an excellent, low-maintenance cultivar of fragrant sumac, a low-growing shrub native to much of eastern North America. Noted for its dwarf, groundcover growth habit and shiny, fragrant leaves, 'Gro Low' is one of the best choices fo an easily to maintain groundcover border or erosion control selection. Compared to the straight species, which typically reaches four to six feet in height, and occasionally reaching up to 10' tall, the 'Gro Low' cultivar definitely grows a lot lower, typically only reaching a mature height of 1-2'. The main attraction for the 'Gro Low' cultivar over its parent species, however, lies in its potential for groundcover uses, with a single plant sometimes spreading to up to 8' across the ground!

Beyond its creeping, groundcover uses, Rhus aromatica is also attractive, and smells great. In early spring, tiny yellow female flowers emerge from new growth before the set of deep green, glossy, multi-lobed foliage which turns stunning shades of red in the fall. 'Gro Low' can also produce male catkins, which are unremarkable, but are capable of pollinating female flowers and producing large, hairy, berry-like fruits, which resemble miniature versions of the showy fruits found on other sumacs, like taghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). Butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to flowers, birds to the fruit, and gardeners to the spicy, piney smell produced by rubbing or crushing the plant's leaves. Thanks to this cultivar's compact size, 'Gro Low' makes for an excellent, somewhat showy groundcover plant that can adapt to a variety of soil types, making it a great choice for embankment plantings and slope stabilization projects.