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A dwarf selection with amazingly glossy leaves.

Rhus Prairie Flame™

Dwarf habit and conservative growth rate, dark green extremely glossy foliage.

A deciduous multi-stemmed shrub with a refined, compact habit making it much smaller than the species. Prairie Flame has extremely glossy, attractive foliage, creamy-white blooms in late July and striking deep red fall color. This compact sumac can be grown in a wide variety of soils and landscape conditions. It is very drought-tolerant and grows best in full sun. Flame is an excellent colonizing plant. Plant it in front of evergreens to maximize its glorious fall color. This selection is fruitless and thrives as a companion for native or naturalized plantings. It is also useful for soil stabilization on slopes. This superior selection is perfect for massing and naturalized plantings. Planted as a specimen or en masse, this sumac will provide a colorful display from late spring with its extremely glossy foliage through a full frost with its dependable, fire-engine red fall color. Also useful for slopes, open areas and roadside plantings.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Prairie Flame sumac
  • Botanical Name

    Rhus copallina var latifolia 'Morton'
  • Type

    Shrub
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Origin

    Selected from the collections of The Morton Arboretum of Lisle, Illinois, from seed collected in Iroquois County Conservation Area, near the Illinois/Indiana border.

  • Bloom Time

    Summer

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Summer
  • Size

    7' tall by 10' wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    5-7
  • Light

    Full sun
  • Soil

    Tolerant of poor soils, but adaptable to many
  • Moisture

    Drought tolerant
  • Disease & Pests

    Excellent overall. Has shown slight susceptibility to verticillium wilt and powdery mildew in evaluations
  • Landscape Use

    Mass plantings, mixed borders, naturalized plantings, urban gardens
  • Propagation

    Root Cuttings, Softwood Cuttings

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.