An easy-care shrub in its native growing area, laurel sumac
is a great choice for those looking for an attractive plant that’s both
carefree and tolerant of wildlife. Let’s learn more about this fascinating
bush.
What is Laurel Sumac?
Native to North America, laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) is an evergreen shrub found in the coastal sage
and chaparral along the coasts of Southern California and the Baja California
Peninsula. The plant was named for its resemblance to bay
laurel, but the two trees are unrelated.
Laurel sumac reaches heights of 15 feet (5 m.). Clusters of tiny white flowers, similar to lilacs, bloom in late spring and summer. The leathery, fragrant leaves are shiny green, but the leaf edges and tips are bright red year-round. Clusters of tiny white fruit ripen in late summer and remain on the tree well into winter.
Laurel Sumac Uses
Like many plants, laurel sumac was put to good use by Native
Americans, who dried the berries and ground them into flour. A tea made from
the bark was used to treat dysentery and certain other conditions.
According to California history, early orange
growers planted trees where laurel sumac grew because the presence of
laurel sumac guaranteed the young citrus trees wouldn’t be nipped by frost.
Today, laurel sumac is used mostly as a landscape plant in
chaparral gardens. This drought-tolerant shrub is attractive to birds,
wildlife, and beneficial
insects. It generally isn’t damaged by deer
or rabbits
either.
How to Grow a Laurel Sumac
Growing laurel sumac is easy in the mild climates of USDA
plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. This plant is not frost-tolerant. Here is some
basic growing information for laurel sumac care:
Nearly any soil works well for growing laurel sumac,
including clay or sand. Laurel sumac is happy in partial shade or full
sunlight.
Water laurel sumac regularly throughout the first growing
season. Thereafter, supplemental irrigation is needed only when summers are
particularly hot and dry.
Laurel sumac generally requires no fertilizer. If growth
seems weak, provide a general-purpose fertilizer once every year. Don’t
fertilize in late summer or fall.
An easy-care shrub in its native growing area, laurel sumac
is a great choice for those looking for an attractive plant that’s both
carefree and tolerant of wildlife. Let’s learn more about this fascinating
bush.
What is Laurel Sumac?
Native to North America, laurel sumac (Malosma laurina) is an evergreen shrub found in the coastal sage
and chaparral along the coasts of Southern California and the Baja California
Peninsula. The plant was named for its resemblance to bay
laurel, but the two trees are unrelated.
Laurel sumac reaches heights of 15 feet (5 m.). Clusters of tiny white flowers, similar to lilacs, bloom in late spring and summer. The leathery, fragrant leaves are shiny green, but the leaf edges and tips are bright red year-round. Clusters of tiny white fruit ripen in late summer and remain on the tree well into winter.
Laurel Sumac Uses
Like many plants, laurel sumac was put to good use by Native
Americans, who dried the berries and ground them into flour. A tea made from
the bark was used to treat dysentery and certain other conditions.
According to California history, early orange
growers planted trees where laurel sumac grew because the presence of
laurel sumac guaranteed the young citrus trees wouldn’t be nipped by frost.
Today, laurel sumac is used mostly as a landscape plant in
chaparral gardens. This drought-tolerant shrub is attractive to birds,
wildlife, and beneficial
insects. It generally isn’t damaged by deer
or rabbits
either.
How to Grow a Laurel Sumac
Growing laurel sumac is easy in the mild climates of USDA
plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. This plant is not frost-tolerant. Here is some
basic growing information for laurel sumac care:
Nearly any soil works well for growing laurel sumac,
including clay or sand. Laurel sumac is happy in partial shade or full
sunlight.
Water laurel sumac regularly throughout the first growing
season. Thereafter, supplemental irrigation is needed only when summers are
particularly hot and dry.
Laurel sumac generally requires no fertilizer. If growth
seems weak, provide a general-purpose fertilizer once every year. Don’t
fertilize in late summer or fall.