Sourwood

Sourwood

Sourwood is a beautiful native ornamental tree prized for its fragrant summer flowers, brilliant fall color, and attractive bark. In early to midsummer, it produces graceful, drooping clusters of small, urn-shaped white flowers that resemble those of lily-of-the-valley. The lightly fragrant blooms attract a wide variety of pollinators, especially bees, and are an important source for premium sourwood honey.

Its glossy, dark green leaves provide an elegant appearance throughout the growing season before transforming into spectacular shades of scarlet, crimson, orange, and purple in fall. The gray bark develops attractive furrows with age, adding texture and winter interest long after the leaves have dropped. Its refined branching habit and multi-season beauty make it an outstanding specimen tree.

Typically growing 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide, Sourwood develops a narrow pyramidal form when young that gradually becomes more rounded with maturity. Its moderate size makes it an excellent choice for residential landscapes, woodland gardens, and naturalized settings.

This native tree thrives in full sun to partial sun and prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Once established, it tolerates short periods of drought but performs best with consistent moisture and protection from poorly drained soils.

Care Instructions:

Planting: Plant in full sun to partial sun in a location with acidic, well-drained soil.
Soil: Prefers moist, organically rich, acidic soil.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment and during prolonged dry periods.
Fertilizing: Apply compost or a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants in early spring if needed.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Minimal shaping is required.
Spacing: Space trees 15–25 feet apart for mature growth.
Maintenance: Mulch annually to help conserve moisture and maintain cool, acidic soil conditions.

Its fragrant blooms, exceptional fall foliage, and native wildlife value make Sourwood one of the finest ornamental trees for Mid-Atlantic landscapes.