Sourwood
Oxydendrum arboreum
Also known as: Sorrel Tree
Drooping racemes of fragrant white lily-of-the-valley flowers in mid-summer — unusual bloom time for a tree. Brilliant deep-red fall color appears with the persistent seed pods. Source of the prized 'sourwood honey'. The pleasantly sour leaves have been chewed raw to quench thirst — the source of its 'sourwood' name.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Type
- tree
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 20–50 ft
- Spacing
- 10–25 ft apart
- Light
- part shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Bloom
- April, May, June, July, August
- Bloom colors
- white
- Wildlife value
- pollinators, butterflies, mammals, songbirds, larval host
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~14 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- rain garden
- Native states
- AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV