Shrub
Three-Leaf Sumac
Rhus trilobata
Fiery fall color plus wildlife berries. Tough, adaptable structure shrub.
- Native
- Deer-resistant
- Pollinator
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–8
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 3–6 ft tall × 5–8 ft wide
- Bloom & interest
- Tiny pale-yellow flowers in early spring; sticky red berries in summer; orange-red fall color
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Native range
- Native throughout the West, from the Great Plains to California and the Great Basin
Why we recommend it
An exceptionally tough, adaptable native offering brilliant fall color and red berries for birds while tolerating cold, heat, and drought across most of the West.
Best regions: Front RangeHigh DesertSouthwestTexas
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water every 1–2 weeks the first summer; established shrubs need none.
Pruning
Remove a few of the oldest stems at the base in late winter to keep it from getting woody; can be cut hard to rejuvenate.
Soil
Any well-drained soil, including clay, rocky and alkaline. Spreads slowly to form thickets — good for slopes.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Three-Leaf Sumac from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Xeriscaping.com may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list plants we'd actually plant. Affiliate disclosure