| Name |
Ornamental
- Sorbus Vilmorinii - Chinese Mountain Ash |
| Cultivation |
Succeeds
in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position. Grows well in
heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade, though it fruits better in a sunny
position. Prefers a cool moist position and a lighter neutral to slightly
acid soil. Dislikes shallow soils or drought. Succeeds on chalk or acid
peats. A very wind firm tree tolerating very exposed and maritime positions.
Tolerates atmospheric pollution. Some named varieties have been developed
for their improved fruits which are larger and sweeter than the type.
Plants, and especially young seedlings, are quite fast growing. Responds
well to coppicing. Plants are susceptible to fireblight.
Light: Mountain ash likes bright sunny conditions.
Moisture: Needs adequate moisture. Water during dry periods.
|
| Family |
Rosaceae |
| Genus |
Sorbus |
| Synonyms |
Sorbus Vilmorinii,
Vilmorins Rowan |
| Known
Hazards |
None
Known |
| Range |
Hardy
in Britain and Ireland. Tollerates most soils in full sun or semi shade.
Slow growing and fully hardy. |
| Height |
Has
an ultimate height of about 20 feet. |
| Habitat |
As
a highlight set in a broad expanse of lawn there is nothing prettier. Use
them in groves and near the water where the colour show can be reflected
to double your viewing pleasure! |
| Characteristics |
Elegant
small deciduous tree with arching branches and graceful habit. Very attractive
fern-like olive-green leaflets cover this elegant tree and turn orange
and bronze-red in autumn. White flowers late spring followed by pendulous
bunches of berries ripening to rose-red in September, changing to pink
then white flushed pink. The berries last into the winter for a great
display! Charming and suitable for smaller gardens. |
| Edible
Uses |
None
Known |
| Medicinal
Uses |
None
Known |
| Other
Uses |
The
fruit is very attractive to birds. 28 species of insects are associated
with this tree. |
| Propagation |
Seed
- best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. If you have sufficient
seed it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed. Stored seed germinates better
if given 2 weeks warm then 14 - 16 weeks cold stratification, so sow it
as early in the year as possible. Prick out the seedlings into individual
pots when they are large enough to handle. Seedlings are very slow to put
on top-growth for their first year or two, but they are busy building up
a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for
their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions
in late. |
| Cultivars |
Cultivars
and hybrids provide plants of various sizes, shapes, and berry colour. The
selected varieties are grafted onto rootstock from the species. |