I have a hillside of white pines with an adjacent 30' x 30' grass opening. The grass on this hillside is now dead thanks to the drought and the hot location. I'm considering replacing the dead sod with 'Prairie Flame' Shining Sumac. I want it to look somewhat naturalized and massed with the added benefit of not having to mow the hillside.

Does this particular sumac behave itself so that mowing where I want to maintain a foot path at the bottom of the hill will be all that's require to keep it within bounds. And secondly, will I need to grow something under this plant to prevent erosion and suppress weeds. If so , what would you recommend.

I mostly do native plants in my yard, but I'm not opposed to adding a few non-natives to increase design possibilities especially when it comes to lower maintenance and function.