Mountain ash Autumn Spire
Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire
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...
Description
Height at maturity
4 m
Wingspan at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun, partial shade
Flowering
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.
Features
- 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
Expédition & livraison
How does the delivery work?
As soon as you place your order your plants are selected
Each order is processed individually.
Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
Packaging is carefully implemented to avoid any problems.
Packages are ready to be shipped.
Our delivery methods
Shipping of our plants throughout Europe (except overseas and islands).
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