Wildfire Blackgum

Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire'

Wildfire Black Gum is a slow-growing native deciduous tree that has a tidy pyramidal habit when young and branches that become more horizontal as it matures.  The lightly toothed shiny foliage emerges bold red before maturing to dark green, and turns fiery scarlet in fall.  The fruit and flowers are insignificant.  Best grown in part sun and well-drained soils.  

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Scale, rust, canker, and leaf spots can be occasional problems.  Can tolerate both standing water and some drought.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Shade Tree, Privacy Screen, and Bog Gardens. 

COMPANION PLANTS: Bald Cypress, Swamp Oak, Swamp Rosemallow

Image: Photo by David J. Stang, Nyssa sylvatica Wildfire 0zz, CC BY-SA 4.0