Overview

Transform your garden with the distinctive beauty of the Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling. This offering includes two robust Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling plants, each measuring 12-24 inches (1-2 feet) tall, perfect for establishing a new landscaping feature. Known botanically as Rhus typhina, the Staghorn Sumac is a dioecious, deciduous shrub or small tree celebrated for its dramatic seasonal interest. Its common name, “stag’s horn sumac,” comes from the velvety texture and forking pattern of its branches, which resemble deer antlers. This resilient plant is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet visually impactful addition to their outdoor spaces, providing brilliant fall colors and unique winter structure.

The Rhus typhina plant is a North American native, well-adapted to a wide range of conditions and an excellent choice for naturalized areas or as a focal point in a mixed border. These are live bare root plants, meaning they are shipped without soil around their roots, which is a common and effective method for transplanting dormant trees and shrubs. Upon arrival, these Staghorn Sumac bare root seedlings should be planted promptly to ensure successful establishment. They are known for their vigorous growth and ability to form attractive thickets, making them ideal for erosion control on slopes or creating natural screens.

Key Benefits

Choosing the Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling for your landscape brings a multitude of advantages, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and ecological value. This plant is a fantastic investment for any garden.

• Spectacular Fall Foliage: Experience a breathtaking display of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows each autumn. The Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling creates a stunning visual impact, making it a focal point in any garden.
• Unique Winter Interest: Even after leaves drop, the velvety, antler-like branches provide architectural interest throughout the winter months, adding texture and form to the dormant landscape.
• Wildlife Attractor: The dense clusters of red berries (drupes) persist from late summer through spring, serving as a vital food source for many bird species during the colder seasons, making it an excellent choice for a native landscaping plant.
• Drought Tolerant & Low Maintenance: Once established, Staghorn Sumac is incredibly resilient, tolerating dry conditions and various soil types. It requires minimal care, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
• Fast Growing: This shrub establishes quickly and grows vigorously, allowing you to enjoy its benefits sooner rather than later. It can rapidly fill in areas and create a naturalized look.
• Erosion Control: Due to its spreading habit via rhizomes, this Rhus typhina plant is highly effective at stabilizing soil on slopes and preventing erosion.
• Deer Resistant: The foliage and stems are generally unappealing to deer, making it a good option in areas where deer browsing is a concern, qualifying it as one of the effective deer resistant shrubs.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling is relatively straightforward, as this plant is known for its hardiness and adaptability. To ensure successful establishment and vigorous growth, understanding its basic needs is important. Upon receiving your Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling, it’s crucial to plant them as soon as possible. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the spread of the roots and deep enough so that the crown (where the roots meet the stem) is at soil level. Backfill with native soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly.

Sunlight requirements: Staghorn Sumac thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) but can tolerate partial shade. For the most vibrant Sumac fall color, ensure your plant receives ample sunlight. In shadier conditions, its growth may be less dense, and fall coloration might be subdued. Watering schedule and soil moisture preferences: While tolerant of various conditions, these plants prefer moderately moist, well-draining soil, especially during their establishment phase. Once mature, Staghorn Sumac is quite drought-tolerant and will generally only need supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overly wet or waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot. Soil type and drainage requirements: This versatile shrub is not particular about soil type and can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. It tolerates a wide range of pH levels. Temperature range and USDA hardiness zone: The Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling is incredibly cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 3-9. It can withstand harsh winter temperatures and hot summers. Fertilization schedule and type: Generally, Staghorn Sumac does not require heavy fertilization. A light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring can promote healthy growth, but it’s often unnecessary in good soil. Common problems and solutions: Staghorn Sumac is relatively pest and disease-free. Occasionally, leaf galls caused by aphids may appear on the undersides of leaves, but these are not harmful to the tree and require no treatment. Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or remove suckers if you wish to control its spreading habit.

Size & Details

Each purchase includes two (2) Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling plants, with an average height of 12-24 inches (1-2 feet) at the time of shipment. These bare root plants are dormant when shipped, which is the ideal state for successful transplanting and minimizes shock. The Rhus typhina plant is a fast-growing deciduous shrub or small tree, capable of reaching a mature height of 15-20 feet and a similar spread, forming a broad, open crown. Its growth rate is considered medium to fast, establishing well within a few seasons. The plant’s mature size allows it to serve as an excellent screening plant or a specimen tree in larger landscapes. It is shipped without a pot, with its roots carefully packed to retain moisture, ready for immediate planting upon arrival. Expect vigorous growth and the development of its characteristic velvety branches and vibrant Sumac fall color in subsequent seasons. This particular variety is renowned for its hardiness and adaptability, making it a reliable choice for gardeners across a wide range of climates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling can grow into a shrub or small tree reaching 15-20 feet tall and wide at maturity, forming a broad, spreading crown. Its size can be managed with pruning if desired.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling is an outdoor plant, best suited for gardens and landscapes where it can receive full sun exposure. It is not recommended for indoor cultivation.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to achieve its best growth and most brilliant Sumac fall color. It can tolerate partial shade but may have less vibrant foliage.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Staghorn Sumac is considered a very easy-to-care-for plant. It’s drought-tolerant, adaptable to various soil types, and generally pest and disease-free, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive two dormant Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling plants, with their roots carefully packaged to maintain moisture during transit. Plant them as soon as possible after arrival for best results.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant Staghorn Sumac bareroot seedling is in early spring or fall when the plants are dormant. This allows them to establish their root systems before the stress of summer heat or deep winter cold.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, Staghorn Sumac is exceptionally cold-hardy and thrives in USDA Zones 3-9, meaning it can tolerate very cold winter temperatures down to -40°F (-40°C).
• Q: Is the Staghorn Sumac considered one of the deer resistant shrubs? A: While no plant is entirely deer-proof, Staghorn Sumac is generally considered deer resistant. Deer tend to avoid its foliage and stems, making it a good choice for areas with deer activity.
• Q: Is this plant a good choice for a native landscaping plant? A: Absolutely! Staghorn Sumac is native to North America, making it an excellent choice for native landscaping. It supports local wildlife and is well-adapted to regional conditions.
• Q: Is the Rhus typhina plant related to poison sumac? A: No, despite sharing the “sumac” name, Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) is not closely related to poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) and is not poisonous.