Sorbus aucuparia 'Croft Coral' 12ltr Pot

Sorbus aucuparia 'Croft Coral' – Coral-Fruited Rowan – 12ltr Pot

Few trees earn their place in a small garden quite like 'Croft Coral'. This neat, rounded form of our native rowan is one of the few mountain ashes to bear true coral-orange berries, a softer and more unusual shade than the familiar scarlet. Creamy white flower clusters in late spring give way to heavy bunches of fruit from late summer, set against finely divided dark green foliage that turns golden yellow in autumn.

It's also valuable for wildlife. The spring blossom feeds bees and other pollinators, and the berries become an important food source for thrushes, blackbirds and other birds as the weather cools. The berries are ornamental and shouldn't be eaten by people or pets, so wear gloves when handling fruiting branches.

Grow 'Croft Coral' in full sun or light dappled shade, in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil that is acid to neutral. It is fully hardy and copes well with coastal conditions and urban pollution, which makes it a reliable choice for exposed gardens and courtyards. Expect it to reach around 5m in ten years. Its eventual size is 4–8m tall with a spread of 2.5–4m. When planting, work plenty of well-rotted compost into the planting hole and stake the tree firmly. Pruning is minimal: just remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches in late autumn or winter. Autumn is an ideal time to plant.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.