Oxydendrum arboreum, Sourwood Seed
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood Seed
- Drooping sprays of bell-shaped white flowers in midsummer feed honey bees
- Glossy leaves turn brilliant scarlet to maroon in fall while pale capsules hang on
- Slender pyramidal form suits lawns, patios and smaller yards
- Grow seeds into a deer-resistant native prized for sourwood honey across the Southeast
Key Attributes
About Oxydendrum arboreum, Sourwood Seed
Midsummer, when few other trees bloom, is when Sourwood shines with drooping sprays of tiny, bell-shaped white flowers. This graceful native tree, Oxydendrum arboreum, has a slender, pyramidal habit and year-round interest. Bees flock to the blossoms, and sourwood honey is prized across the Southeast. In fall the glossy leaves turn brilliant scarlet to maroon while the pale seed capsules hang on, creating a striking contrast. It suits woodland edges, lawns and patios where a smaller specimen tree is wanted.
Growing details
Plant profile
Seed & variety
Before Planting
Planting
Watering
Fertilizer
Harvesting
Tips
Pests & Diseases
Damping off can strike crowded seedlings, so sow thinly and provide good air flow. Established trees are generally trouble-free, though leaf spots may appear in wet seasons.
Pests are rarely serious. Watch seedlings for fungus gnats and aphids, and treat with insecticidal soap if needed.
Native States & Regions
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Native regions: Appalachia, Southeast, Northeast
Its Role in the Native Ecosystem
Sourwood blooms in midsummer when nectar is scarce, making it an important food source for honey bees and native bees. Its flowers also draw butterflies and other pollinators, and the tree provides cover and nesting sites for woodland birds.
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood Native Range Map
Native range describes natural occurrence, not the origin of this seed lot or every location where a plant can be grown.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown as insets. State-level range does not mean a plant occurs throughout every part of that state.
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