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The Benefits of Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are shipped without soil or pots, making them lightweight and easy to handle. They arrive dormant, ready to be planted and thrive as beautiful, healthy additions to your garden.
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Sourwood Tree - Oxydendrum arboreum
The Sourwood Tree is a small to medium-sized deciduous type native to the southeastern United States. It is notable for its long panicles of fragrant, white, urn-shaped flowers and vibrant red fall foliage.
Among garden types, this type fits the bill. It grows around 25 feet tall, and its branches generally spread to 10 feet. It will become a stalwart focal point in any garden. These plants are stately enough to please the eye yet small enough not to overpower any perennials planted around them. Another name for this plant is the sorrel.
Sourwood Tree Has Beautiful Blooms
They say, "Good things come to those who wait." That is true of this plant. Beginning with its fifth season after being planted, it will sprout gorgeous white flowers throughout June and July every year. These bell-shaped flowers grow on panicles in a flowing, attractive fashion that has led them to be called "angel fingers." The flowers are also sweet-smelling, producing so much nectar during their blooming that it drips from the branches at the slightest shake.
The Leaves of Sourwood Tree Are Rich and Colorful
The leaves will turn brilliant colors in the fall, notably red and deep purple. The bark is reddish brown and is attractively furrowed, matching the hues of the changing leaves. The leaves are pleasantly aromatic, reminiscent of the smell of honey from its nectar. The wonderful aroma is balanced between astringency, which gives the plant its name, and the sweetness of anise.
The leaves are oblong and finely tapered, and the surface is glossy enough to reflect sunlight attractively. After the blooms fade at the beginning of August, pretty silvery capsules form along the branches. The color of these capsules meshes nicely with the changing leaves and the furrowed bark into winter. Because the sorrel is a slow-growing plant, its wood and bark are solid and sturdy, providing a beautiful sight in all four seasons.
Attract Pollinators With This Stunning Native
Pollinators, especially bees, love the flowers of Sourwood Tree, the sweet-and-sour nectar that produces the world's most excellent honey. Birds will also fly among the branches for a snack as autumn turns to winter. As the sorrel is mainly unaffected by pests or disease, it will likely remain a pleasing focal point in any garden for many years.
Where Do They Grow The Best
They prefer well-drained, acidic soil and can grow in full sun to part shade. This species is native to the southeastern United States but performs well in other climates similar to those of the southern part of the United States.
What are the characteristics of them?
Their leaves are smooth, slightly glossy, dark green, and lanceolate. In the late season, this plant becomes bright red, orange, and purple and gives a beautiful view throughout autumn.
What Are The Benefits Of Them
Its autumn foliage colors are splendid; it has many white flowers in summer and a smooth white or grayish-mottled bark in winter. They also collect excellent, tasty, and highly sought-after honey from beekeepers.
How do you identify the bark?
The outer, thick, fully developed layer is gray to reddish-brown in color, with deep and well-spaced furrows and a crenelated surface.
What Type Of Fertilizer Is Favorable For These
The Sourwood Tree should be fertilized using a slow-release fertilizer. Spray in the early spring to ensure the plants grow well and develop a strong stem.
This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Bloom Season
Spring
Bloom/Foliage Color
White
Height at Maturity
Over 25 Feet
Care
Sourwood trees thrive in well-drained, acidic soil. They prefer consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Trim in winter to preserve shape and remove dead or diseased wood. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots. They’re generally pest-resistant.
Plant Reproduction
Sourwood Tree spreads via seeds dispersed by wind and gravity.
Plant bare root trees during the dormant season in early spring or late fall (November through April). Dig the hole twice as wide as the roots so the soil is well-drained. Position the tree so the root flare is at or just above ground level. Fill the hole back with the soil you dug from and water. Maintain soil moisture, especially in the tree's early years, by providing deep, regular watering. Apply a 2-4 inch mulch away from the trunk at the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune trees during the first few seasons to establish strength and resilience, remove damaged branches, and continue maintenance pruning as the tree matures. Regularly inspect for pests and diseases and apply integrated pest management practices. Protect young trees from mechanical damage and extreme temperatures with tree guards, and stake them if necessary for support, removing the stakes after one or two years.
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Striking aesthetics & wildlife habitat
Air purification & medicinal uses
Low maintenance & cultural significance
Features
Why You Will Love This Sourwood Tree
Fragrant Flowers:
The Sourwood Tree produces delightful, fragrant white blooms in summer, adding a pleasant scent to your garden.
Unique Appearance:
With its distinctive flower clusters and attractive bark, the Sourwood Tree stands out as a focal point in any landscape.
Wildlife Friendly:
The blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local wildlife and enhancing your garden’s ecosystem.
Vibrant Fall Foliage:
In autumn, the tree’s leaves turn a stunning red, providing a beautiful contrast and seasonal interest.
Caring Tips
How do I care for my Sourwood Tree?
Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.
Care Tips
Sourwood trees thrive in well-drained, acidic soil. They prefer consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Trim in winter to preserve shape and remove dead or diseased wood. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots. They’re generally pest-resistant.
Light Requirements
Sourwood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer a location with at least 4-6 hours of natural sunlight daily but can handle some shade, especially in hotter climates. Well-drained, acidic soils enhance their growth.
Hardy Planting Zones
5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9
