Rhus typhina (Stag's Horn Sumach) seeds

Fabulous shrub or small tree known best for its truly magnificent autumn foliage. The large, pinnate, 2 foot leaves turn brilliant shades of scarlet, purple and orange and female plants also bear clusters of spherical, deep red fruits. Once mature, bears tiny, greenish-white flowers from mid to late summer. Can be kept small in size by cutting back hard in spring which also produces even longer leaves - up to 3 foot, or , if you have a large garden, leave it to grow as a specimen tree and it will reach up to 15ft (5m). All in all, a magnificent addition to any garden!

Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Hardy Shrub / Tree
Flowers: Mid to late summer
Height: 5m if not pruned back
Position: Sun and well-drained soil

Packet of 30 seeds

RHS Award of Garden Merit

This plant/cultivar has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant. For more information on RHS award of Garden Merit plants visit rhs.org.uk/plants

GROWING GUIDE

Pre-sowing Treatment: Soak the seeds in water which starts off hand hot for 24 hours or until the seeds start to swell.

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year. Sow thinly in pots or trays of moist, good quality seed compost, eg John Innes, just covering the seeds with a sprinkling of sieved compost or vermiculite. Seal in a polythene bag or place in a propagator and maintain an optimum temperature of 18-21C. Germination should take place in 30 - 90 days. Gradually increase ventilation as the seedlings emerge by opening the bag or propagator vents. Germination can be erratic with some seedlings emerging before others, hence the need to sow the seeds thinly to avoid disturbing the compost too much when potting up.

Growing Instructions: When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot up into small pots and grow on in slightly cooler conditions in plenty of light but shaded from direct sunlight, re-potting as necessary. The young trees will probably be large enough to plant out in the garden at 1 to 2 years old. Rhus like a sunny position in fairly well drained soil.