Sourwood

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

25 - 30 Feet

Mature Spread

15 - 20 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 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.