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Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire
  • Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire
  • Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire Andrew Butko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire

Mountain ash Autumn Spire - Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire

Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire

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Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire, a very decorative small tree. A small, elegant tree with a columnar habit, the Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire is a variety of rowan, compact and robust, very decorative in spring. It is above all the flamboyant color of its autumn foliage and the profusion of its orange-yellow fruits which make it attractive.

No delivery available for this item. Only available for collection at the nursery after ordering.

Description

Height at maturity 4 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Exposure Sun, partial shade
Flowering period May - June
Hardiness -20°C

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Autumn Spire’ – Mountain Ash Autumn Spire

Origin and characteristics

Derived from the botanical form Sorbus aucuparia, widespread in the forests of Europe and temperate Asia, ‘Autumn Spire’ is a recent horticultural selection with a very narrow columnar habit, ideal for small spaces or vertical designs. It is a tree of high ecological value, attracting pollinators in spring and birds in autumn and winter.

Description and features

This rowan forms a small deciduous tree with a straight trunk and naturally narrow, upright growth. The pinnate foliage is dark green in summer and turns orange, bright red to purplish in autumn, offering a striking display. In spring, clusters of white flowers appear, followed in summer by orange berries (sorbs), which persist through winter and are highly appreciated by birds.

  • Mature height: 3 to 4 m
  • Width: 1 to 1.5 m
  • Habit: Columnar, narrow, upright
  • Foliage: Deciduous, pinnate, dark green turning orange and red in autumn
  • Growth rate: Medium
  • Hardiness: Excellent (down to -25 °C)

Flowering and fruiting

  • Flowering: May to June
  • Flowers: Small, white, in broad nectar-rich corymbs
  • Fruits: Orange berries (sorbs), ornamental, persisting into winter
  • Attractiveness: Nectar source in spring, food for wildlife in autumn-winter

Exposure and soil

  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil: All well-drained soils: poor, fresh, slightly acidic or neutral
  • Tolerates lime soils if not compact, as well as moderately dry soils once established
  • Does not tolerate waterlogging

Planting

Best planted in spring or autumn, with added compost or soil improver if the soil is poor.

  • Planting distance: 1.5 to 2 m in hedge, isolated at 2 m from other trees
  • Stake for the first two years

Watering

  • Regular watering during the first two years
  • Tolerates moderate drought once established
  • Mulching recommended to retain summer moisture

Pruning

  • No pruning required: naturally narrow and regular form
  • Maintenance pruning in winter to remove dead or unbalanced branches
  • Can be kept to a fixed height with light annual pruning

Propagation

  • By grafting in nurseries (‘Autumn Spire’ does not come true from seed)
  • The wild rowan can be grown from seed, but the cultivar must be propagated vegetatively

Garden use

The Mountain Ash ‘Autumn Spire’ is perfect for:

  • Small urban or country gardens
  • Shrub borders and mixed plantings
  • Decorative hedges
  • Narrow alignments or vertical plantings (between buildings, along fences)
  • Wildlife and biodiversity gardens: highly attractive to birds

Disease resistance

  • Very resistant under good growing conditions
  • Rarely affected by disease, but watch for:
  • Fireblight (rare, but possible in overly rich soils)
  • Minor aphid infestations in spring
  • No systemic treatment required

Growing tips

  • Plant in full sun or dappled light
  • Well-drained soil, even poor or rocky
  • Avoid excessive winter moisture
  • Annual compost application supports flowering and fruiting

Sorbus aucuparia 'Autumn Spire' is a remarkable small tree, combining vertical elegance, brilliant autumn colours and ecological value thanks to its bird-attracting berries. Perfect for limited spaces, it offers visual interest from spring to winter.

Caractéristiques

  • Common name : Mountain ash Autumn Spire - rowan
  • Family : Rosaceae
  • Category : tree
  • Spread : 1 m
  • Foliage : deciduous
  • Color of flowers : white
  • Use : isolated - shrubbery - hedge
  • Soil : all
  • Habit : Columnar
  • Enemies : mealybug - aphid - weevil - red spider
  • Possible diseases : fire blight - Coryneum - canker - armillary

Shipping & delivery

How does the delivery work?

  • Step 1 As soon as you place your order your plants are selected
  • Step 2 Each order is processed individually.
  • Step 3 Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
  • Step 4 Packaging is carefully implemented to avoid any problems.
  • Step 5 Packages are ready to be shipped.

Nos méthodes de livraison

Expédition de nos plantes dans toute l'Europe (sauf en outre mer et les îles).

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