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Sourwood Tree

The Sourwood Tree is a stunning, deciduous, and ornamental tree that will dazzle you in the fall with its uniquely long, red leaves. The bark of this tree is gray-brown in color, with ridges. Its green leaves provide an excellent backdrop for its fragrant white flowers. Its ornamental flowers resemble those of the Lily of the Valley, giving it another common name, the Lily of the Valley Tree. It is a native deciduous tree that will be a wildlife haven in your yard. In the fall, the changing autumnal colors bring a brilliant, bold display of red leaves.

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Vibrant Sourwood Tree with fiery red, orange, and yellow autumn leaves
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Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Between November 15-29

Planting Zone

5-9

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Water Needs

Low and Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Care

Sourwood trees thrive in well-drained, acidic soil. They prefer consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Trim in winter to preserve shape and remove dead or diseased wood. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots. They’re generally pest-resistant.

Exposure

Sourwood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer a location with at least 4-6 hours of natural sunlight daily but can handle some shade, especially in hotter climates. Well-drained, acidic soils enhance their growth.

Plant Attributes

Striking aesthetics & wildlife habitat , Air purification & medicinal uses, Low maintenance & cultural significance

The Sourwood Tree is a stunning, deciduous, and ornamental tree that will dazzle you in the fall with its uniquely long, red leaves. The bark of this tree is gray-brown in color, with ridges. Its green leaves provide an excellent backdrop for its fragrant white flowers. Its ornamental flowers resemble those of the Lily of the Valley, giving it another common name, the Lily of the Valley Tree. It is a native deciduous tree that will be a wildlife haven in your yard. In the fall, the changing autumnal colors bring a brilliant, bold display of red leaves.

Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Between November 15-29

Planting Zone

5-9

Height at Maturity

Over 25 Feet

Water Needs

Low and Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Care

Sourwood trees thrive in well-drained, acidic soil. They prefer consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Trim in winter to preserve shape and remove dead or diseased wood. Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots. They’re generally pest-resistant.

Exposure

Sourwood trees thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer a location with at least 4-6 hours of natural sunlight daily but can handle some shade, especially in hotter climates. Well-drained, acidic soils enhance their growth.

Plant Attributes

Striking aesthetics & wildlife habitat , Air purification & medicinal uses, Low maintenance & cultural significance

Product Details

Sourwood Trees For Sale

The Sourwood Tree is a stunning, deciduous, and ornamental tree that will dazzle you in the fall with its uniquely long, red leaves. The bark of this tree is gray-brown in color, with ridges. Its green leaves provide an excellent backdrop for its fragrant white flowers. Its ornamental flowers resemble those of the Lily of the Valley, giving it another common name, the Lily of the Valley Tree. It is a native deciduous tree that will be a wildlife haven in your yard. In the fall, the changing autumnal colors bring a brilliant, bold display of red leaves.

Sourwood tree with lush white flowers and vibrant green leaves in garden bed

Landscape Uses and Maintenance

This tree is excellent in a woodland garden or as a choice specimen in a landscape. Plant this tree in an area that receives full sun to partial shade. It will have the best fall color if planted in full sun. Avoid planting this tree in a location with full shade.

Sourwood Tree needs moist soil. Ensure thorough watering until the plant is well established. Add a layer of mulch, compost, or humus around the base of this tree to increase the organic matter in the soil. As a member of the heath family, this tree will need to be planted in acidic soil to thrive. Have more alkaline soil? You can add iron or iron sulfate to the soil to make it more acidic.

Its flowers are nectar-filled and attract bees. The honey from these bees is a warm amber in color. This tree also has fruits that are attractive to wildlife, including small mammals and birds.

Noteworthy Characteristics of the Sourwood Tree

The Sourwood Tree is a host plant for the Lettered Sphinx butterfly and many others.TN Nursery offers native trees at affordable prices, and we frequently run a buy one, get one free sale.

Q: What makes the Sourwood Tree special?

A: Sourwood Trees stand out for their elegant drooping white summer flowers and brilliant red fall foliage. They add four-season interest and bring a truly native woodland charm to any landscape. Their nectar is also famous for producing the highly prized Sourwood honey.

Q: Where do Sourwood Trees grow best?

A: They thrive in well-drained, acidic soils and prefer full sun to partial shade. While they grow naturally in the Appalachian region, they adapt well to many Eastern and Southern landscapes when planted in the right soil conditions.

Q: How fast do Sourwood Trees grow?

A: They grow at a slow to moderate pace. They reward patience with exceptional color, clean structure, and long-term landscape value that continues to improve as the tree matures.

Q: Do Sourwood Trees attract pollinators?

A: Yes. Their midsummer blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. They’re an excellent choice if you want to support pollinators while elevating the beauty of your garden.

Q: Are Sourwood Trees low maintenance?

A: Very. Once established, they require little more than occasional watering during prolonged periods of dryness. They naturally keep a tidy shape and rarely need pruning.

Q: How tall do Sourwood Trees get?

A: Most mature Sourwoods reach 20–30 feet, making them an ideal mid-sized ornamental tree for yards, woodland edges, and naturalized plantings.

Q: Do Sourwood Trees provide fall color?

A: Absolutely. They are renowned for producing some of the most vibrant reds and burgundies of any native tree. Its fall display is one of its most substantial landscape benefits.

Q: Can Sourwood Trees tolerate clay or alkaline soil?

A: Not well. Sourwoods prefer acidic, loose, well-drained soils. If you have clay or alkaline ground, amending the planting area with organic matter and planting slightly elevated can help.

Bare-root Sourwood tree with slender brown trunk and tangled roots

Fragrant Flowers: 

The Sourwood Tree produces delightful, fragrant white blooms in summer, adding a pleasant scent to your garden.

Unique Appearance: 

With its distinctive flower clusters and attractive bark, the Sourwood Tree stands out as a focal point in any landscape.

Wildlife Friendly: 

The blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting local wildlife and enhancing your garden’s ecosystem.

Vibrant Fall Foliage: 

In autumn, the tree’s leaves turn a stunning red, providing a beautiful contrast and seasonal interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sourwood trees good for anything?

Yes, Sourwood trees are excellent for both beauty and pollinator support. They produce fragrant white blooms that attract bees and yield prized sourwood honey. Their brilliant red fall foliage also makes them one of the most stunning ornamental trees in any landscape.

How tall does a sourwood tree get?

A Sourwood tree typically grows 20 to 30 feet tall with a narrow, pyramidal shape. It’s known for its elegant white summer blooms and brilliant red fall color. With sunlight and good soil, it grows strong and adds lasting beauty to any yard.

What are the cons of sourwood trees?

There are no cons to Sourwood trees—they’re stunning, easy to grow, and full of charm. Their white summer blooms attract bees, and their fiery red fall color is unmatched. This graceful tree enhances any landscape with beauty and resilience.

Why Buy Bare Root Plants From TN Nursery?

Since 1959, TN Nursery has grown and shipped quality bare root plants nationwide. Shipped during dormancy, bare-root plants develop strong root systems and establish quickly. Our experienced team carefully harvests and packages every order, providing growers with trusted plants backed by over 65 years of nursery experience.

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