When does sourwood bloom?

Sourwood produces long, drooping clusters of small white, bell-shaped flowers in June and July.

What pollinators visit sourwood?

Bees and butterflies visit sourwood's summer flowers, and the tree is well known among beekeepers for the distinct honey its nectar produces.

How much light does sourwood need?

Sourwood flowers and colors best in full sun but will still grow, though more sparsely, in partial shade beneath taller trees.

What kind of soil moisture does sourwood prefer?

Sourwood does best in evenly moist, well-drained soil and does not tolerate standing water or prolonged drought once established.

What does sourwood look like in fall?

In autumn, sourwood leaves turn shades of red, orange, and purple, making it a popular tree for seasonal color in landscapes.

Is Sourwood toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sourwood as toxic to livestock.

Is Sourwood HOA-friendly?

Sourwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Sourwood

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Oxydendrum arboreum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Sourwood is a deciduous tree with drooping clusters of small white flowers in June and July, followed by brilliant scarlet fall foliage. It grows best in full sun to partial shade with medium, well-drained soil moisture.

Toxicity unknown

Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Sourwood as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–600" H × 180"–360" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, FL, GA, IN and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central Plains Piedmont Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Sourwood is a beautiful native tree that produces drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers in summer, followed by striking red-orange fall color. It grows slowly to medium size with an upright, oval shape that works well in residential landscapes.

Growing Sourwood

Grow Sourwood in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 600 inches tall and spread 180 to 360 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sourwood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Slow growth rate may test patience
Prefers acidic soil conditions

Wildlife value

The summer flowers are particularly valuable for bees and butterflies, providing nectar during hot months when few other trees are blooming. Birds also enjoy the small seed capsules that follow the flowers.

Common questions

When does sourwood bloom?: Sourwood produces long, drooping clusters of small white, bell-shaped flowers in June and July.
What pollinators visit sourwood?: Bees and butterflies visit sourwood's summer flowers, and the tree is well known among beekeepers for the distinct honey its nectar produces.
How much light does sourwood need?: Sourwood flowers and colors best in full sun but will still grow, though more sparsely, in partial shade beneath taller trees.
What kind of soil moisture does sourwood prefer?: Sourwood does best in evenly moist, well-drained soil and does not tolerate standing water or prolonged drought once established.
What does sourwood look like in fall?: In autumn, sourwood leaves turn shades of red, orange, and purple, making it a popular tree for seasonal color in landscapes.
Is Sourwood toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sourwood as toxic to livestock.
Is Sourwood HOA-friendly?: Sourwood is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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