Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum foliage by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Buy Oxydendrum arboreum

    Also Known As

    • Oxydendron aboreum
    • Sourwood

    Plant type

    tree, shrub

    size

    • H: 10'-30'
    • W: 10'-20'

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    1 gallon bagged root ball | $25

    Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

    30 at Gossler Farms

    1 gallon | $49

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    39 at Forestfarm

    More Options

    Oxydendrum arboreum plant details

    Oxydendrum arboreum is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall and summer white flowers emerge followed by green fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture water. Does well in acidic and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Oxydendrum arboreum

    Plant type: shrub or tree
    Plant family: ericaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 10 FT - 20 FT - wide, 10 FT - 30 FT - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: fall color, fragrant, pyramidal

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Oxydendrum arboreum

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture
    Soil needs: acidic and well-drained

    We independently publish plant data to search multiple nurseries at once. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases when you buy through our links.

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The sourwood is one of our favorite trees in fall. The flowers look somewhat like pieris (lily of the valley shrub). In fall, the deep green leaves turn blazing red.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Sourwood is an excellent shrubby tree from the eastern United States, most commonly in the lower Appalachian Mountains. Generally reaching 20-30' in cultivation it can reach as high as 60' in the wild. Grown for its late-summer, fragrant, white flower clusters which are much loved by honeybees and make the much sought-after sourwood honey. Juice from the blooms can also be used to make sourwood jelly. The long, narrow bright-green leaves of this fine ornamental boast spectacular bright-scarlet autumn color. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    A very ornamental rounded-top tree with pendulous branches. In summer, racemes of white, urn--shaped fragrant flowers hang down from the glossy, green leaves. Fall brings brilliant shades of orange and red.

    By: Bloom River Gardens

    Exceptional ornamental with handsome glossy summer foliage. A medium tree that grows to 45 ft., it prefers full sun and an acidic, well-drained soil. Honeybees relish the nectar of the delicate, heather-like blooms, borne on the branch ends like white bouquets in mid-summer. Sourwood honey is a particular delight, so special that it's sold only regionally in the Southeast, and fetches a worthwhile premium at roadside stands. Oxydendrum in the autumn is a refreshing sight for tired eyes, as the foliage shows off rich blends of orange, red and yellow.

    By: Heritage Seedlings

    Sour Wood The drooping panicles of brilliant white flowers begin in mid-summer and persist into autumn. The vibrant and dependable fall color of Sourwood often transitions from an orange red to brick red to flaming scarlet and displays the most vivid fall colors of any tree species

    By: Oregon Grown Tree Farm

    White bell shaped flower clusters late summer, fall foliage orange and scarlet tones

    By: Lael's Moon Garden

    Oxydendrum is an underused plant, to say the least. This is a small to medium tree which is suitable for large planters or small gardens. The drooping fragrant flower panicles in the summer veil the tree in white and the flowers persist after the foliage turns in the fall; the scarlet fall color is unsurpassed. The tree is listed as zone 5 but there is one flowering in Maine.

    By: Whitman Farms

    A medium sized, deciduous tree with a pyramidal form and round top growing to a height of 25-30 feet and spreading 20 feet. The leaves are bronze tinted, iridescent green in early spring, dark green in summer and turning yellow red and purple in the fall. In July and August, white bell-shaped flowers are produced in clusters and seem to hang on thru Fall. Blooms a LONG time. A fabulous 3-Season tree. Needs acid soil. Great Plant Picks - Miller Botanical Garden

    By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

    An excellent tree of small size, 20-25', grown mainly for its exquisite autumn colors of breathtaking yellow and crimson. Clusters of white flowers hang from the tips of shoots in July and August. These are followed by attractive seed clusters of pale green, turning silver and providing interest into the winter months. A dainty tree with great appeal for any garden. Grows well in full sun to partial shade and moist but well drained acidic and peaty soils.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Deciduous, small to medium-sized pyramidal shaped tree. Small, but fragrant white urn-shaped flowers in late July. Planting in more sun translates into better fall color and more bloom.

    By: Briggs Plant Propagators

    Gardening facts about Oxydendrum arboreum plant

    How to Grow Oxydendrum arboreum

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • well-drained

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Fruit

      • green

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    • Texture

      • glossy

    Landscape groups by tags

    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2024 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved