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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Oxydendron arboreum
In flower, sourwood is simply breath-taking. The name lily-of-the-valley tree describes the effect better than a whole paragraph might. The flowers really are lily-of-the-valley-like, and they appear in sprays so delicate yet so profuse that blooming trees seem to be dressed in veils of lace. After the flowers fade, they are replaced on the curving panicles by yellow seed capsules. In October these capsules turn light brown, contrasting with the intense red and purple fall leaves. The bright leaves last for a long time, but the seed capsules last even longer, persisting until spring and adding winter interest.
You don’t see many sourwoods in the new subdivisions that dot our state. That’s because builders usually plant only fast-growing, easy trees, and sourwood isn’t either of those things. No, sourwood takes patience and care to grow. It doesn’t respond well to air pollution, and it’s best transplanted when young and container bound. It’s also slow growing and rather fussy when it comes to soil conditions and drainage, preferring moist, rich, deep, well-drained, acid soil. But don’t let a little slowness and pickiness discourage you from planting a sourwood. This southern classic will bring real character to your property, and that’s definitely worth the trouble and the wait.
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Medium-sized deciduous tree with 5 to 8" glossy green elliptical leaves. Drooping sprays of fragrant, small, white, bell-shaped flowers appear in June and July. Clusters of yellow seed capsules turn brown in fall and persist through winter. Fall leaf color is red, reddish purple, and sometimes yellow.
20 to 30’ (sometimes 50’) high and 20’ wide.
In full sun, trees are densely pyramidal and often branched to the ground. In shade, trees tend to be taller and more irregular, with branches starting high up the trunk.
Slow.
Full sun to part shade. Trees flower and color best in full sun.
Transplant young, container-grown plants in spring into moist, well drained, acid soil. Gritty or gravelly soil is preferred, and fairly dry conditions are tolerated. Air pollution has negative effects.
Attributes include fragrant white summer flowers, shiny green summer foliage, interesting and persistent fruits, and showy red and purple fall color.
Use in groups or as a single specimen. Plant with black gum and oakleaf hydrangeas for a great fall color combination.
Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies. Foliage is browsed by deer.
Found in the mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain, often on ridges above stream banks.
Seed (no pre-treatment), tissue culture. Cuttings are difficult to root.
Also known as Sorrell Tree, Lily-of-the-Valley Tree
Text and photo by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Sourwood