About
Sorbus vilmorinii, Vilmorin's rowan, is a small, spreading, deciduous tree to 5 m producing elegant, fern-like, pinnate leaves of many small leaflets turning purple in autumn and flat heads of creamy-white flowers followed by crimson fruits fading to near-white. One of the most elegant and rewarding small ornamental rowans for a sunny, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Sorbus, the mountain ashes, rowans and whitebeams, are deciduous trees or shrubs producing simple or pinnate leaves and clusters of small, white or pink flowers followed by white, yellow, pink, red or brown berries; many provide excellent autumn colour. Rewarding and ornamental trees and shrubs for a sunny, well-drained garden.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesSpecimen planting, large borders, parkland settings.
Native toW China
ToxicityFruit 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
CultivationBest grown in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Useful plant shrub or small tree for the smaller garden. May be short-lived on shallow, chalky soil
PruningPruning group 2 or 6
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer or propagate by seed sown in containers in a coldframe in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, pear blister mite, red spider mite and sawfly larvae
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fireblight, apple canker, silver leaf and honey fungus