Sorbus 'Leonard Messel'

RHS Plant Profile

mountain ash 'Leonard Messel'

Trees

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'Leonard Messel' is a small, ball-headed tree that should reach 3m tall in 10 years. Pinnate leaves, that show good autumn colour, are borne on upright branches. Pretty clusters of pink hanging fruit follow the white flowers in late spring and early summer. Winter buds are red

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–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: Bushy
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers soils that do not dry out. Adaptable to many soil types, but shows best autumn colour on chalk. Grow in sun or light shade. Ideal tree for small gardens

Propagation

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

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

If pruning is required, only make cuts in summer to protect against disease

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