Gro-Low Sumac
Gro-low sumac is a deciduous shrub with a low, spreading habit. It has dark green, glossy, three-lobed leaves. They turn a brilliant orange to reddish-purple color in the fall. The leaves have a citrus fragrance when crushed.
Tiny, inconspicuous yellow flowers bloom in spring and produce red berries in fall. This plant is useful for stabilizing slopes or covering bare ground because of its tendency to root where the branches touch the ground.
Gro-Low Sumac
Gro-low sumac is a deciduous shrub with a low, spreading habit. It has dark green, glossy, three-lobed leaves. They turn a brilliant orange to reddish-purple color in the fall. The leaves have a citrus fragrance when crushed.
Tiny, inconspicuous yellow flowers bloom in spring and produce red berries in fall. This plant is useful for stabilizing slopes or covering bare ground because of its tendency to root where the branches touch the ground.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low'
Pronunciation
roos ar-oh-MAT-ih-kuh
Mature Height
2 to 3 ft.
Mature Spread
6 to 8 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
green-yellow
Bloom time
early spring
Colorado Native
No
Natural Habitat
eastern half of United States
Light Requirements
sun
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 4-9
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
Gro-low sumac has been an excellent plant for groundcover and slope stabilization at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. In summer, it looks great with its glossy green leaves. The leaf color in fall is spectacular.
Since the stems are bare in winter, it does not have a lot of winter interest.
Maintenance
Little maintenance is required of this shrub. Selective pruning may be necessary to maintain desired shape and size.
See in a landscape
It may surprise you, but this entire yard is xeriscape! The plants in this landscape are all well adapted to Colorado and grouped according to water need which makes the best use of water in the landscape. The turfgrass is a dwarf tall fescue and looks great with 2/3rds the water of traditional grass. A tip for large yards like this one is to plant in groups to create unity and interest and to choose larger xeric shrubs where possible to help reduce maintenance.