CHUXAY GARDEN Rhus Typhina, Staghorn Sumac Seeds

Renowned for its captivating fall foliage and showy fruits, Rhus typhina (Staghorn Sumac) is a large, suckering deciduous shrub or small tree with picturesque branches and velvety reddish-brown branchlets. The foliage, consisting of large, pinnate, bright-green leaves measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length, transforms into striking shades of orange, yellow, and scarlet in the fall. In early to mid-summer, cone-shaped panicles of green-yellow flowers bloom, attracting honeybees. These blossoms are followed by dense crimson berries in pyramidal clusters on female plants, which persist throughout the winter and provide a valuable food source for various bird species and small and large mammals.

The bare, widely forking, hairy twigs in winter resemble the velvety horns of a young stag, hence the common name "Staghorn Sumac." This fast-growing, usually pest and disease-free, drought-tolerant plant may spread aggressively by root suckers, forming extensive thickets. It is particularly effective for erosion control on slopes or when planted in drifts and colonies. Staghorn Sumac thrives in full sun or partial shade, and it can be easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. The best fall color is achieved when the plant is grown in full sun, and it can tolerate a wide range of soil types as long as they drain well, including dry, rocky soils.

When it comes to cultivation, Staghorn Sumac seeds are ready for sowing after a cold treatment. To start the seeds, fill a pot with moist seed-starting mix, leaving about 1/2 inch from the top. Tamp down the soil and evenly spread the seeds over the surface, then cover with a 1/8-inch layer of seed-starting mix. Moisten the soil surface with a spray bottle. The ideal planting time is in autumn or early spring, and the plant can grow up to 15-25 feet (4-8 m) tall and 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide. Staghorn Sumac's versatility makes it a perfect choice for specimen plantings, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, or foundation plantings.

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