Sorbus wardii
Tibetan whitebeam
A deciduous, columnar tree to 10m tall that becomes more rounded and spreading with age. The ribbed, elliptic to obovate leaves are silvery-grey and downy when young maturing to green with sparsely hairy undersides. Small clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring are followed by rounded, amber-orange fruits speckled greyish-brown, to 12mm in diameter
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
20–50 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Cream White | Grey Silver Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | Brown Orange | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
- N Burma & NE India
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
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
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