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.
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Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
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