Wildfire Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Wildfire Black Gum
Wildfire Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica 'Wildfire') is a cultivated selection of the native tupelo, prized for its vivid red new spring foliage that matures to glossy dark green and delivers brilliant fall color in yellow, orange, and scarlet. Hardy in zone 9b, it thrives in NE Florida with consistent moisture and acidic soil, and its blue-black fall berries attract birds. Starting at $149.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Clay, Loam, Acidic, Moist, Well-drained
Care essentials
Plant Wildfire Black Gum in full sun to partial shade. Full sun promotes the best fall color; afternoon shade in NE Florida's hottest months helps reduce heat stress, as zone 9b represents the southern edge of this species' comfort range.
Prefers consistently moist, slightly acidic soil; tolerates periodic wet conditions and compacted urban soils. Water regularly for the first 2-3 years to establish the deep root system; once established, supplemental irrigation during droughts keeps foliage healthy.
Performs best in moist, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Amend sandy NE Florida soils with organic matter at planting. Apply a slow-release acidifying fertilizer in early spring; avoid high-phosphorus formulas.
Similar needs
Frostweed
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Spiderwort
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Swamp Twinflower
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Sweetshrub
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, clay, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Wishbone Flower
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Basswood
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, clay, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Wildfire Black Gum a good plant for St. Augustine?
Wildfire Black Gum is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 30-50 feet × 20-35 feet.