Name: Oxydendrum arboreum
Common name: Sourwood
Description: Sourwood is a small tree that grows 20-50 feet tall and 10-25 feet wide. In mid-summer it features white, fragrant flowers borne on drooping panicles that resemble lily-of-the-valley flowers. Fall color ranges from maroon to scarlet and lasts late into fall.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9
Landscape uses: Use as a specimen because of its flowers and fall color. For best results, plant in full sun. Unfortunately, it’s not drought tolerant. It grows best in a well-drained acidic soil.
Chuck Flaherty, Magnolia Garden Center, Seattle, www.magnoliagarden.com
Explore the January 2014 Issue
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