Species mountain ash

mountain ash

Sorbus alnifolia

Mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) is a beautiful flowering shrub native to North America. Not to be confused with actual ash trees, mountain ash is an ornamental species, with clusters of delicate white flowers in the spring and vibrant red-orange berries in the fall. The distinctive bright green leaves are finely toothed, with lobed edges. It typically reaches heights of 8–10 feet and its branches create a dense canopied effect, providing cover for birds. Its versatile nature makes it a popular choice for small gardens and ornaments.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Air Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Mountain ash should be watered regularly, with the amount depending on the season. During the warmer summer months, mountain ash should be watered once per week, supplying a thorough soaking and allowing the soil to dry out slightly before next watering. During the cooler months of fall and winter, mountain ash should be watered more sparingly, about 1 per 2 weeks, supplying a light drink of water. During winter dormancy, mountain ash should be watered only when the soil is completely dry.

sunlight

Mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) grows best in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. When planting mountain ash in the spring, make sure to select a location where it will receive ample sunlight throughout the growing season. Remember that the sun will move from east to west throughout the day, so it is important to keep the changing sunlight in mind when choosing the location for your mountain ash. Additionally, be aware that during the summer months, the sun will be at its strongest and your mountain ash may need some shade to provide additional protection during midday hours.

pruning

Mountain ash can be pruned in late winter or early spring before the growing season starts, when the plant is still dormant. Prune away any dead, diseased or damaged branches, and remove any stems growing in an awkward or unbalanced direction. The plant can also be cut back to control the overall size and shape. Heavy pruning and shaping is usually not needed, and should not be done in 1 session but carried out in stages over several years. Each time, take away only a quarter to a third of the previous season’s growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Sorbus alnifolia (mountain ash) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Mountain ash typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Sorbus alnifolia (mountain ash) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map