About
Sorbus matsumurana (Makino) Koehne is a compact tree or shrub that typically reaches a height of about 4 meters when grown in gardens. It features unique, elongated winter buds measuring approximately 1.25 cm that develop into bluish-green foliage. The leaves are composed of 4 to 6 pairs of leaflets, which display serrated upper portions and transform into hues of purple, red, orange, and yellow in the fall. In spring, it produces small clusters of white flowers, which may give way to rounded to oval red fruits by autumn.
About the genus
Sorbus encompasses both deciduous trees and shrubs characterized by either simple or pinnate foliage. These plants produce clusters of small flowers that can be white or pink, which are succeeded by berries that may be white, yellow, pink, red, or brown. Certain species also exhibit notable autumn foliage.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- Fruit are ornamental, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or light dappled shade; will grow in a wide range of soils but prefers acidic or neutral soil. See tree cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, softwood cuttings or grafting
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, pear blister mite, red spider mite and sawfly larvae
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to fireblight, apple canker, silver leaf and honey fungus