Evergreen Sumac

Rhus virens Also known as Evergreen Sumac, Tobacco Sumac, Lambrisco, Lentrisco The evergreen sumac is a delightful shrub or small tree that can reach heights of 6 to 10 feet and spreads its branches wide. Its shiny, evergreen leaves are pinnate and turn a beautiful pink in early spring, later transforming to a rich maroon after frost. These plants feature 5 to 9 fleshy leaflets on sturdy stems, showcasing alternating leaves that are 2 to 5 1/2 inches long. Although the flowers are a bit shy, with their five petals, they bloom in charming clusters that measure 1 to 2 inches long at the ends of strong branches and come in lovely shades of greenish or white. By mid-September, the fruit appears; it's a vibrant red, wider than it is long, and covered in fine hairs. The evergreen sumac is perfect for creating a lush, thick hedge or screen, and it can also grow in a tree-like form with a tall, straight trunk. It's worth noting that only female plants produce those lovely flowers and berries.