Garden sumacs grow under conditions that are normally too stressful for other plants and can be used more often in the home landscape. Sumac shrubs vary in heights with divided, lace-like foliage that is glossy green in summer and brilliant red, wine, and gold in fall. These fruits stay on the shrubs throughout the winter, adding to the winder landscape. Sumacs bear male and female flowers on different plants. For good fruit displays, be sure to plant female sumacs near male sumacs.
Most sumacs grow well in urban conditions and tolerate heavy, clay soils.
Sumacs produce suckers and spread, creating large masses that can fill banks, areas stripped of topsoil, or other tough sites, but can create work in a small landscape with limited space. Most sumacs are hardy throughout the Southeast U.S., from the coast to the mountains. Its branches resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac reaches 25 feet in height at maturity with an equal spread. It is not as tolerant of poorly drained soils as other sumacs.