Gro-Low Sumac
Gro-Low Sumac
A Tough Native Groundcover Shrub With Fiery Fall Color
Gro-Low Sumac (Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low') is a rugged, low-spreading native shrub that solves tough problems with ease — a 2-foot-tall, wide-spreading carpet of glossy, aromatic green foliage that blazes brilliant orange-red in fall. Small yellow spring flowers feed early pollinators and give way to red fruit for birds. Exceptionally drought-tough and deer-resistant, it's the go-to for covering slopes, banks, and hot, dry, hard-to-plant areas in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Gro-Low Sumac Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' |
| Mature Size | 2 ft. tall, 6–8 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early spring (small yellow flowers) |
| Soil | Adaptable — thrives in poor, dry, lean soil; excellent on slopes |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F — a tough native |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
| Native Status | Selection of native fragrant sumac |
| Fall Color | Brilliant orange-red |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Slope and erosion cover: Its wide-spreading, low habit is one of the best native groundcovers for holding soil on banks and slopes. Space 4–6 feet apart for coverage.
Hot, dry, tough sites: Thrives where lawn and most shrubs fail — boulevards, parking strips, and lean soil. The aromatic foliage and fiery fall color are bonuses. Pair with native grasses and junipers.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Very adaptable; water through establishment.
How to Plant Gro-Low Sumac
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 4–6 feet apart on slopes for a weed-suppressing cover.
Watering Gro-Low Sumac
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly while roots establish. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Exceptionally drought-tolerant — little to no supplemental water once established.
Q: Is it good for slopes?
Excellent — its low, wide-spreading roots make it one of the best native shrubs for stabilizing banks and slopes.
Q: Is it native?
Yes — fragrant sumac is a Minnesota native, valued for wildlife, erosion control, and brilliant fall color.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse sumac, and the aromatic foliage helps deter them.
You May Also Like
Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina): A taller native sumac with ferny foliage and fiery fall color.
Massachusetts Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): A native evergreen groundcover for dry, sandy sites.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium): A native grass for slopes and prairie plantings.
How Many Gro-Low Sumac Do I Need?
For slopes and groundcover beds, space Gro-Low Sumac about 5 feet apart (4–6 ft) — each plant spreads 6–8 feet wide, so the planting knits into a solid weed-suppressing carpet within a few seasons:
| Run Length | Plants Needed (≈5 ft spacing) |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3 plants |
| 20 ft | 5 plants |
| 30 ft | 7 plants |
| 40 ft | 9 plants |
On steeper banks, plant in staggered rows about 5 feet apart each way so the roots lock the whole slope in place faster.
Gro-Low Sumac Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Small yellow flowers open in early spring before the leaves fully emerge — one of the first native nectar sources for emerging pollinators.
- Summer: A dense, glossy green carpet of aromatic three-part leaves shrugs off heat and drought; fuzzy red fruit clusters form on female plants and draw songbirds.
- Fall: The whole planting ignites in brilliant orange-red — among the most reliable fall color of any native groundcover shrub.
- Winter: Leaves drop to reveal a low, dense woody framework that keeps gripping the slope all winter; hardy to -40°F with zero protection.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Tiger Eyes Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac — the taller cousin: chartreuse ferny foliage above, Gro-Low carpeting the ground below.
- Massachusetts Bearberry — native evergreen groundcover that handles the same dry, sandy, sunny sites and adds winter green.
- Little Bluestem — native prairie grass whose blue summer blades and copper fall color echo the sumac's fiery show.
- Grey Owl Juniper — silvery evergreen spreader for the same hot, dry banks; together they cover ground year-round.
Is Gro-Low Sumac Right for Your Yard?
Say yes if you have a hot, dry, sunny-to-part-shade problem spot — a bank, boulevard, or lean rocky soil — where you want a tough, deer-proof native that covers ground and stops erosion with almost no care. It's not a fit if you need a tidy, compact shrub for a small formal bed: each plant spreads 6–8 feet wide and is happiest when allowed to roam.