Sorbus Autumn Spire ('Flanrock')

RHS Plant Profile

mountain ash [Autumn Spire]

Synonyms

Sorbus 'Flanrock'
Sorbus aucuparia 'Autumn Spire'

Trees

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A small, upright to columnar deciduous tree with bright green leaves that turn purple, red and yellow in the autumn. The autumn colour contrasts well with masses of yellow berries with red centres. White flowers appear in the summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution; ideal specimen tree in small garden

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, chip budding in summer or grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Sorbus Autumn Spire ('Flanrock')

Synonyms

Position

Soil Types

Max Height

Max Spread

Size

Growing Conditions

Position

Colour & Scent

Botanical Details

How to Grow

Cultivation

Propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Pruning

Pests

Diseases