horse sugar
Symplocos tinctoria
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size15 to 35 feet tall15 to 20 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom season
- Spring, winter
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Horse sugar (Symplocos tinctoria) is a tree for borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to wet, sandy or loamy soil. Small, fragrant, cream-colored flowers cover the branches before the leaves appear. Bees, butterflies, and birds visit it.
Pairs well with Woodland phlox, Cherry laurel, Dogwood, and Green and gold.
Native range
AL, AR, DE, FL, and 11 more places. See all 15
AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, NY, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA.