Fragrant Sumac Tree (Rhus aromatica) Fragrant sumac is a low growing shrub forming a thick, dense mass of stems. Use as a ground cover, in mass, and an excellent shrub for stabilizing banks and slopes.  The glossy, blue-green leaves emit a lemon scent when crushed, and turn a mixture of red, burgundy, purple color in the fall.  
Genus name comes from the Greek name for one species, Rhus coriaria. A small rounded, spreading shrub which forms a dense thicket of stems.  Height is 2 to 5 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide.
The cultivar 'Gro-low' is often used as a ground cover as it is lower-growing.  It is a trailing-rooting and colonizing ground cover.  Trailing-rooting ground covers have trailing stems that spread out from a central root system.  These stems spread out horizontally over the ground and can root where they come in contact with the soil.  New shoots will be formed at the point where rooting occurs.  Colonizing ground covers produce underground stems that spread out horizontally and shallowly, produce roots and then send up new shoots.  These plants are strong growers and may have the potential to grow aggressively. Zones 3-9