Oxydendrum arboreum
Sourwood
A medium-sized tree, Oxydendron arboreum is one of the best plants for autumn colour with dark green leaves that turn fantastic shades of crimson or orange and yellow in autumn. Its midsummer flowers appear like lilies-of-the-valley, are highly fragrant and contrast nicely against the green foliage. A worthy ornamental tree in lawns and parks.
Contributed by @saco
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Full sun to partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Sourwood
Latin name
Oxydendrum arboreum
type
Flowering shrubs or trees
family
Ericaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
Oxydendrum arboreum
A medium-sized tree, Oxydendron arboreum is one of the best plants for autumn colour with dark green leaves that turn fantastic shades of crimson or orange and yellow in autumn. Its midsummer flowers appear like lilies-of-the-valley, are highly fragrant and contrast nicely against the green foliage. A worthy ornamental tree in lawns and parks.
Planting young plants
From Late Autumn TO Early Spring
Planting is best done between late autumn and early spring. Avoid planting in waterlogged or frozen soil. Container-grown plants can be planted any time of the year, but are easier to care for if planted in autumn or winter, as they need less watering than those planted in spring or summer. Bare-root and rootballed trees and shrubs are only available in autumn and winter. They should be planted immediately, but if this is not possible, then they can be heeled in (temporary planting in the soil to prevent the roots drying out) until planting is possible. Dig a planting hole that is no deeper than the roots, but is ideally at least three times the diameter of the root system. If the sides of the planting hole are compacted, break the soil up with a fork before planting. Soak bare-rooted trees or shrubs for about 30 minutes prior to planting. And give containerised plants a good water before taking them out of their pots. Place the tree or shrub in the planting hole and position it so that the first flare of roots are level with the soil surface when planting is complete. With container grown plants, the top layers of compost may need to be scraped away to reveal the flare of roots. Deep planting prevents essential air movement to the root system and makes the lower trunk vulnerable to disease - this can lead to poor establishment. Refill the planting hole carefully, placing soil between and around all the roots to eliminate air pockets.