- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 25 - 30 Feet
- Mature Spread 25 - 30 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
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 Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Trees |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 25 - 30 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 15 - 20 Feet |
| Spacing: 15 - 20 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Summer |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Deep Green, Peach-Like Foliage |
| Seasonal Interest: Fall Interest |
| Watering: |
| Resists: Deer, Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Sourwood |
| Other Name(s): |
| Scientific Name: OXYDENDRUM ARBOREUM |
- SKU:
- 1231003673-pc
Container Sizes
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
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
2.5 Quart
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
#1 Pot
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
#2 Pot
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
#3 Pot
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
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations