Good trees for urban gardens: Sourwood Tree is a star in fall landscape

Sourwood tree
Sourwood tree

We continue our series highlighting trees that work for gardens in Edmonds. It’s presented by Master Gardener Barbara Chase, who serves on the Edmonds Tree Board.

A tree that we notice more in the fall is the Sourwood Tree (oxydendrum arboreum).

It is native to the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Florida. In our climate, it grows rather slowly to 25 feet.

It is drought-resistant and likes good drainage. It likes acidic fertile soil. It does not like lawn or ground covers at its base.

Putting mulch under the tree will help it thrive.

Its creamy white bells held on chains begin to flower in August. They hang down and make a nice contrast to the tree’s leaves. In the fall, its leaves turn scarlet, yellow and purple making a striking tree in the fall landscape.

Fall is the perfect time to plant the Sourwood tree, which can be a great specimen tree in our Northwest gardens.

— By Barbara Chase

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