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What native plants are blooming this week?

Writer's picture: 389country389country

Sourwood is a medium sized understory tree found throughout most of the state, with the exception of extreme southeastern counties. Sourwood prefers acidic, well-drained soils and is found naturally in upland oak forests, on bluffs, and in rocky woods. Sourwood is tolerant of shade and dry soils.


Sourwood is the only member of the Ericaceae (blueberry) family that grows as a tree in North Carolina, making it relatively easy to identify. It produces long, narrow elliptical-shaped leaves that turn a brilliant burgundy color in the fall. Long showy panicles of hanging cream-colored flowers form on the tips of branches in June and July and produce valuable nectar for butterflies and bees.


Sourwood makes a great addition to most pollinator habitats. Consider using it as a flowering understory tree in a woodland or shade area, as a specimen tree, or plant it in small groups. Sourwood is pollution intolerant, so planting it in urban environments should be avoided.


Did you know that the leaves of sourwood contain oxalic acid, making them sour to the taste!?


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