Sorbus sargentiana
Garden Plant Information

Sorbus sargentiana  

 

Sorbus sargentiana  Sorbus sargentiana

 

Name

Sorbus sargentiana (also called Sargent's rowan and Sargent's mountain ash)

Genus  

Sorbus

Species

sargentiana

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Deciduous, hardy ornamental tree with open habit, large leaves and large bunches of red berries in autumn. Sorbus sargentiana is not a vigorous grower and is suitable for smaller gardens, giving shade in summer and autumn colour. This tree is also known for its sticky buds in winter, which can make it easy to confuse with a young horse chestnut if you are not familiar with the different winter shapes of trees. The specimen above was planted in 1983 at the Oxford University Botanic Garden.

 

The flowers attract flying insects and the fruits are attractive to birds, especially thrushes and blackbirds.

 

Season of interest

Green foliage in summer, which turns bright red in autumn. Clusters of white flowers in late spring followed by bright orange-red berries.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit - upright, open. H&S: 6m.

  2. Stem/bark - thick stems with dark grey bark.

  3. Leaves - mid-green, turning bright red in autumn, pinnate with 7-11 leaflets, 5-14 cm long and 3.5-5 cm.

  4. Flowers - white, borne in dense clusters, 5-7mm in diameter, with white petals and 20 cream coloured stamens.

  5. Fruit - dense clusters of bright orange-red berries, borne in autumn.

 

Cultural details

Aspect

Full sun to semi-shade.

Soil

Fertile, well drained but moisture retentive.

Hardiness

Fully hardy.

Maintenance

Prune in late winter to remove diseased or crossing branches. Susceptible to fireblight.

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in summer, grafting in winter.