Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Sourwood is a low-maintenance beauty that puts on a lush display spring through fall. This deciduous tree, also known as Oxydendrum arboreum or sorrel, is a large plant that will grow about 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Narrow green leaves have a pronounced midrib and a slight bronze hue near the tip before turning a deep shade of red in the fall. During the summer, small sprays of white flowers bloom, dangling from the ends of the branches.
Use this tree in a landscape or yard. This is a large tree, so it needs a big area for the branches to fill in. The leaves are not well-liked by foragers, so this deer-resistant plant will likely retain its foliage. The flowers have a slight fragrance and will attract pollinators. Sourwood is native to the eastern U.S., and once acclimated, this plant requires very little care.
Sourwood Care
Sourwood needs full sun to part shade. Rich soil that is moist but well-drained and has an acidic pH is best. Water consistently for the first growing season, but the plant can sustain itself from rainfall once established. Give the plant a drink during a drought or dry spell. Sourwood is a slow-growing tree, and it needs several years to mature. Once mature, begin to fertilize using nitrate-rich plant food during the fall.
Prune the tree in the fall to maintain its shape. Cut small limbs to create a single trunk and create a tree-like appearance.
Sourwood Spacing
This upright perennial will grow 25 to 30 feet tall, and the branches will reach 15 to 20 feet across. Plant trees 8 to 12 feet apart to create a lush planting.
Sourwood Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 25-30 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 15-20 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Columnar
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- Creamy White
- Bloom Time
- Mid-Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Red
- Foliage Description
- Deep Green, Peach-Like Foliage
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Interest, 4 Season Interest, Summer Flowering, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sourwood
- Botanical Name
- OXYDENDRUM ARBOREUM
- Plant Type
- Tree
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!