White fragrant flowers in early summer. Leaves are rich green, turning yellow, red and purple in fall. Prefers full sun. Grows to 25'-30', 20' spread. (zones 5-9)

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Attributes:
A medium-sized tree, the Sourwood is often used in landscapes as an ornamental addition to larger trees because of its brilliant fall foliage which is unrivaled for its intense beauty and the showy late summer flowers. It has few pest or disease problems and is easily treated for the ones it does encounter.

Description:
White fragrant flowers in early summer. Leaves are rich green, turning yellow, red and purple in fall. Prefers full sun. Grows to 25'-30', 20' spread. (zones 5-9)

Wildlife Value:
Deer browse sourwood twigs and leaves. Gourmet honey is produced by the many bees that are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers.

History/Lore/Use:
A native tree of North America, the sourwood is one of the few endemic trees that is not found in other continents unless planted, and has no related species. The name Sourwood is derived from the acrid taste of its leaves, but tea made from these leaves is widely used by mountain climbers as a thirst-quencher. Pioneers used the sap as one ingredient in a concoction used for treating fevers, the bark for chewing to soothe mouth pains, and leaf tea for treating diarrhea, indigestion and dysentery. But the best known by-product of the Sourwood tree is the hard-to-find and extremely delicious honey produced from the fragrant blossoms by honeybees.

Moisture:
Normal moisture required, and has some drought tolerance.

Leaves:
This tree alternate leaves, simple, elliptic or oblong 4 to 8 inches long. Dark green color in summer, brilliant red in autumn.

Flower Color:
White, very noticeable, fragrant, 4 to 10 inches long and wide.

Bloom Time:
June - early July..

Fruit Description:
The fruit is oval-shaped and under 1/2 inch in diameter.