With showy flowers  that persist into winter and excellent fall color Sourwood, Oxydendron arboreum, provides year-round interest. In summer, Lily-of-the-Valley-like flowers bloom in pendulous clusters with a delightful fragrance. Bees love the many bell-shaped flowers. For the bee-keeper, Sourwood honey is highly prized for its unique taste. Flowers dry into gray capsules that persist well into winter. Narrow-toothed, glossy leaves create a brilliant show of color in fall, turning shades of red, yellow, and orange all on the same plant. This smaller understory tree is perfect around patios, in open woodland gardens or as a focal point on a lawn.

Plant Sourwood in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Tolerant of part shade, but may not bloom as well. When planting amend the soil with compost and add a starter fertilizer like Biotone Starter Plus.

Designated a Plant of Merit by the Missouri Botanical Gardens for its outstanding ornamental value and ease of care.

Plants of Merit are plants selected for their outstanding quality and dependable performance for the lower Midwest. They grow consistently well in Missouri, central and southern Illinois, and the Kansas City Metro area.

Plants of Merit Selection Criteria

• Easy to grow and maintain
• Not known to be invasive in our area
• Resistant or tolerant to diseases and insects
• Has outstanding ornamental value