Sorbus caloneura
beautifully veined mountain ash
S. caloneura is a large shrub or small tree, up to 12m tall in the wild, 4-5m tall in cultivation, with erect stems and wide-spreading branches in a flat-topped, tiered crown. The doubly-toothed simple leaves appear in early spring, or even late winter, and are at first bronze-tinted before becoming green and then turning golden-orange in autumn. Dense clusters, 5-8cm across, of clear white flowers with pink-purple anthers appear in early summer, followed by rounded or pear-shaped brown fruits, about 1cm long, in late summer and early autumn
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Bronze Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | Green | |
| Autumn | Gold Orange | Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Sorbus can be deciduous trees or shrubs with simple or pinnate leaves and clusters of small white or pink flowers, followed by white, yellow, pink, red or brown berries; some have fine autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C. China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or light dappled shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
No pruning required / Pruning group 1
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, pear blister mite, red spider mite and sawfly larvae
Diseases
May be susceptible to fireblight, apple canker, silver leaf and honey fungus
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.