Why Plant Sourwood?
“Sourwood” isn’t exactly a household name, but if more people knew about this exquisite ornamental tree’s charms, it would be as warmly embraced as Flowering Dogwoods and Japanese Maples. In summer, when most trees are done blooming, Sourwood will grace your yard with gorgeous lacy sprays of small, fragrant white flowers that resemble the blossoms of Blueberries, to which Sourwood is related. In autumn, this showboat will light up your landscape with a display of fiery crimson and orange-red foliage that will rival the fall fireworks of any Maple Tree. Add to that its deeply fissured bark that begs to be touched, and you have a four-season stunner!
Native from Pennsylvania to Florida and west to Indiana, the Sourwood Tree is a wonderful part of our country’s rich natural heritage. What makes it extra-special is that it is the only species of Sourwood Oxydendrum in the world. Gardeners in other countries covet our beautiful Sourwoods, but most Americans don’t even know they exist! This elegant tree can be found at forest edges, in fencerows, on streambanks, and atop gravelly ridges in the Southeast. It is one of the very first trees to turn color in the fall, so you might notice it along roadsides in September when driving there—even at 55 mph.
How to use Sourwood in the landscape?
Honeybees flock to the fragrant blossoms of Sourwood when they open in late June or early July, when most other trees have no pollen to offer. From their gatherings they make a delectable Sourwood honey that you may be lucky enough to find at roadside stands in the South if you’re there at the right time.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Sourwood
Sourwood is a tad fussy in the landscape, but it can be grown well when given what it needs to flourish. Sourwood is in the same family as Azaleas and Rhododendrons, and it relishes the same things that most of those plants do—acidic soil enriched with compost, regular irrigation, good drainage, and a topping of organic mulch. It also benefits from having access to a rich source of beneficial fungi in the soil, which the Bower & Branch™ Soil Enhancer and Fertilizer Element will supply. Site it in a position in full sun for the best flowering and fall color, although light shade is excellent, too. Disease and insect problems are few.
How To Water
Sourwood will appreciate watering deeply, and regularly during its first few years in the ground. Irrigate weekly, and especially during long dry spells or extreme heat after it’s established.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
