Sorbus 'Leonard Messel' 12ltr Pot

Sorbus 'Leonard Messel' – Mountain Ash – 12ltr Pot

'Leonard Messel' was raised in 1949 at Nymans, the celebrated Messel family garden in Sussex, and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is a small, slow-growing tree with a dense, rounded head and stout, upright branches. Large clusters of white flowers open in late spring and early summer. Later they give way to drooping bunches of bright pink berries. The leaves are longer than most rowans', up to 25cm, made up of blue-green leaflets that turn orange, gold and sometimes purple in autumn. Even in winter it has interest, with striking red buds along the bare twigs.

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees and other insects, and the berries feed birds later in the year. The fruit is ornamental and shouldn't be eaten by people or pets, so wear gloves when handling berried branches.

Grow in sun or light shade, in soil that doesn't dry out. It adapts to many soil types and gives its best autumn colour on chalk. It is fully hardy and tolerant of urban pollution and coastal conditions, which makes it a dependable choice for small gardens, courtyards and exposed sites. Expect around 3m tall after ten years, eventually reaching roughly 5–6m with a spread of about 3m. Work well-rotted compost into the planting hole, stake firmly, and water regularly through the first summer. Little pruning is needed beyond removing wayward or crossing branches in late winter.

Each tree is hand-selected before dispatch.