Sourwood Trees - Oxydendrum arboretum

A native tree that is a continual favorite small flowering tree here at Greenwood Nursery.

We have many customers who plant this flowering tree in orchards or groves for sourwood honey. If you haven't tried it, Sourwood Honey does taste a little different from wildflower honey. I find it a bit tangy compared to other honey varieties. It's wonderful on biscuits or in tea. 

In mid summer, also called sorrel tree and lily of the valley tree, the Sourwood Tree's drooping panicles of brilliant white flowers begin and persist on into autumn. The vibrant and dependable fall color often transitions from an orange red to brick red to flaming scarlet and displays the most brilliant fall tree colors of any tree species.

The flowering Sourwood can be difficult to transplant and performs best when purchased as container grown plants. We sell only container-grown plants in this species because of this limitation plus it reduces plant loss especially when planting orchards for honey production. Sourwood trees should be planted into acid, moist, and well-drained soil high in organic matter. It is best in light shade, particularly during the heat of summer. Perfect for accent, grouping, or specimen plantings. Bees love this affordable flowering tree.

Although they can tolerate dry soils, it needs irrigation during drought periods, particularly when accompanied by high temperatures. In zones 8 and 9, sourwood trees should be planted in shaded areas.  This tree variety is not a good selection for polluted or urban areas.