Sorbus aria
Whitebeam
- Height × spread
- 6m – 12m × 3m – 9m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The whitebeams are beautiful and popular trees, forms of which are often seen as street trees. They are round-headed with leaves coloured milky green when they open, maturing to soft green shades, and then gold and brown in autumn. There are a number of different forms available including one with soft yellow foliage 'Chrysophylla', a variety with more rounded leaves, and another that has a weeping growth habit. These trees enjoy alkaline soils.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Orange, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Round
- Height
- 6m – 12m
- Spread
- 3m – 9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Structural, Architectural, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Winter
Winter · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
The plant is best left largely unpruned. When dormant remove any branches that are dead or diseased. In addition, remove any branches that are awkwardly angled or which grow back through the centre of the plant spoiling its open shape.
Planting & general
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
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