Sourwood is a tree for all seasons, rewarding you with year-round beauty, according to native plant enthusiast Helen Hamilton of Williamsburg, Va.
In spring, the tree is covered with lacy white fronds of flowers. In fall, the leaves turn a brilliant red.
In summer, the flowers look like little urns, suggesting its other name, "lily of the valley tree." In fall, the fingers of white flowers become clusters of creamy fruits that are very attractive against the background of red leaves that persist into winter.
"I love the lovely long, curved fingers of white fruits that are seen most of the winter on the bent trunks," says Hamilton, past president of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society, and a retired biology teacher.
Sourwood, or Oxydendrum arboretum, is a member of the heath family. Many members of the heath family have small, white, bell-like flowers that are clustered mostly at ends of twigs, according to Hamilton. Sourwood is the only full-size tree in the heath family with flowers and fruits of the heath type. The sour-tasting leaves are narrow to egg-shaped with a line of hairs on the midvein on the underside.
"Sourwood is also known as sorrel tree since the leaves have a taste similar to that of sheep sorrel [Rumex acetosella] or wood sorrel [Oxalis spp.]," Hamilton says.
Cold hardy in Zones 5-9, sourwood prefers full to part sun in slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils, but does well in dry soil. However, the root system is shallow, and it does not transplant well. Sourwood tree trunks do not stand straight and tall; they always lean away from the vertical. When the leaves are gone, these leaning trunks are good identification for sourwood.
This midsize tree -- 20-30 feet tall -- ranges from New Jersey south to Florida and Louisiana, growing in rich woods.
"With no major pests or diseases, this native tree is worth considering as a landscape element," Hamilton says.
"The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and produce seeds for birds. Sourwood honey can be found in local food outlets. The genus name comes from the Greek 'oxys' for 'sour' and 'dendron' meaning 'tree,' referring to the leaves that have a sour taste."
HomeStyle on 12/31/2016