RHUS AROMATICA GRO-LOW

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ – A Versatile Groundcover for Stunning Foliage and Low Maintenance

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low,’ commonly known as Fragrant Sumac, is a low-growing, deciduous shrub prized for its vibrant seasonal colour and adaptability. As an excellent groundcover, this shrub forms a dense mat of foliage that turns stunning shades of red, orange, and purple in the autumn, creating an eye-catching display in any landscape. Its attractive trifoliate leaves emit a light fragrance when crushed, adding a unique sensory element to your garden.

This compact, spreading shrub is highly versatile, making it ideal for covering large areas, stabilising slopes, or adding texture to mixed borders. Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is also a fantastic option for xeriscaping and low-water gardens, thanks to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils. With minimal care requirements, it’s perfect for gardeners seeking an easy-care plant that still delivers year-round interest.

Key Features of Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ stands out as an exceptional groundcover, combining beauty, fragrance, and practicality. This shrub offers fantastic visual appeal, especially in autumn, when its leaves transform into fiery colours. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it ideal for mass planting or as a living mulch alternative. Below are some of its standout features:

• Stunning Autumn Colour: In the autumn, the foliage of Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple, creating a vibrant and dramatic display.
• Fragrant Leaves: The leaves emit a subtle, pleasant fragrance when crushed, adding a sensory experience to your garden.
• Groundcover and Erosion Control: With its low, spreading habit, this shrub is perfect for covering large areas or stabilising slopes. Its dense growth helps to control soil erosion.
• Wildlife Friendly: The small yellow flowers that bloom in early spring attract pollinators, while the red berries that form later are a valuable food source for birds and wildlife.
• Drought Tolerant: Once established, Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardening.

Growing Conditions and Size

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is highly adaptable to a range of growing conditions, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade, and it is not fussy about soil type, growing well in poor, rocky, or sandy soils.

• Position: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Type: Prefers well-drained soils but can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy or rocky soils.
• Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 feet) at maturity.
• Spread: 1.8-2.5 metres (6-8 feet) at maturity.

Its low-growing, spreading nature makes it ideal for large areas where a low-maintenance groundcover is needed. Whether planted on slopes, embankments, or in open garden spaces, Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ offers excellent coverage and visual impact.

Maintenance Tips for Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’

One of the main attractions of Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is its low-maintenance requirements. Once established, this hardy shrub is easy to care for, making it a favourite for gardeners who want to enjoy beautiful landscapes without extensive upkeep. Here are some simple maintenance tips to keep your Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ thriving:

• Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. If required, prune in late winter or early spring to remove any damaged or unwanted branches. Light shaping can help maintain its spread, but heavy pruning is rarely necessary.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is highly drought-tolerant and only needs occasional watering during prolonged dry periods.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant in spring to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality. Organic mulch such as compost or bark is ideal.
• Fertilising: This shrub does not require much feeding. In most cases, no fertiliser is necessary. If desired, a light application of balanced fertiliser in early spring can encourage healthy growth.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. It is also deer-resistant, which adds to its appeal in areas where deer browsing can be an issue.

With its minimal care requirements and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a resilient and attractive groundcover.

Perfect for Large Areas, Slopes, and Low-Water Gardens

Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is the perfect solution for covering large garden areas, stabilising embankments, or adding groundcover to slopes where traditional plants might struggle. Its spreading habit allows it to form dense mats of foliage that not only suppress weeds but also prevent soil erosion, making it an excellent choice for hillside or slope planting.

In addition, its drought tolerance makes it an ideal plant for xeriscaping or low-water gardens. Once established, it can thrive in dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering. This adaptability, combined with its vibrant autumn colour and fragrant leaves, makes Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ an excellent choice for gardeners who want both practicality and beauty.

This hardy shrub also works well when planted in mixed borders, where its spreading nature complements taller shrubs and trees. Its low-growing form is a great contrast to vertical elements in the garden, and its ability to tolerate poor soils means it can be planted in difficult areas where other plants might not thrive.

Whether you're looking for a reliable groundcover for large areas, a plant that will add visual interest with minimal care, or a shrub that can handle tough conditions, Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ is an excellent choice. Add this beautiful and resilient shrub to your garden and enjoy the benefits of its stunning foliage, vibrant autumn colour, and easy-care nature year after year.

• Size
  3.6lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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