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Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum foliage by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens IIIView Original Photo

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum form by Briggs Plant Propagators

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum distinctive bark, foliage by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum foliage by Jaknouse

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum flower, form by J.G. in SF

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum form by Karl Gercens III

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum by Karl Gercens III

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum foliage by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum landscape by Karl Gercens III

Photo of Oxydendrum arboreum foliage by Kristine Paulus

Buy Oxydendrum arboreum

Also Known As

Oxydendron aboreum
Sourwood

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 10'-30'
W: 10'-20'

planting zones

5a-9b

2 gallon bagged root ball - XL shipping box | $79

Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

Fewer than 25 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

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

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

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

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.