Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire®
- Height 10 years: 3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Growth habit: Columnar / Fastigiate
- Leaf colour - autumn: Orange / Gold
- Fruit colour: Yellow
Autumn Spire has the characteristic feathered leaves of the native Rowan, but grows with a far more columnar habit.
In autumn the leaves turn from blue-green and take on intense red-bronze tints - one of the most coloured of all the Rowans.
The fruitlets are not the usual Rowan-red - they are a bright yellow, contrasting nicely with the autumnal foliage. They can still be used for making Rowan jelly.
If you are looking for a small upright / columnar Rowan tree with spectacular fiery autumn colours, this is the one to choose.
Autumn Spire is sometimes known as Flanrock, after its seed parent, 'Joseph Rock' - which also has particularly good autumn colours.
Autumn Spire trees for sale
1-year Autumn Spire tree - bare root
2.5m-4m tall after 10 years
£23.95
2-year Autumn Spire tree - in a 12L pot
2.5m-4m tall after 10 years
£47.95
How to grow
Autumn Spire is more columnar and somewhat smaller than other Rowans, so a good choice if you have a smaller space.
Autumn Spire characteristics
Growing
- Attractive features:
Attractive foliage Autumn foliage colour
- Height 10 years:
3m-5m / 10ft-16ft
- Growth habit:
Columnar / Fastigiate
- Growth rate:
Average
- Vigour:
Slightly small
- Site conditions:
Coastal site Occasional flooding Windy site
- Useful for:
Open spaces Small spaces Street / amenity
- Pruning:
Light prune
- Disease resistance:
Good
- Gardening skill:
Suitable for beginners
Identification
- Country of origin:
Ireland
- Flowering month:
May June
- Flower colour:
White
- Leaf colour:
Green
- Leaf colour - autumn:
Orange / Gold
- Fruit colour:
Yellow
- Annual cycle:
Deciduous
Using
- Fruit persistence:
Persistent
- Wildlife:
Attractive to birds
Similar varieties
Sorbus aucupariaFingerprintAn excellent columnar rowan.
Sorbus aucupariaGlendoick SpireGlendoick Spire is another popular columnar rowan.
SorbusJoseph RockJoseph Rock is a parent of Autumn Spire, but has an upright rather than columnar form.
How to choose a Rowan or Whitebeam tree
We have a very wide range of Sorbus (rowan and whitebeam) trees. Choosing can be difficult! Our article explaining the different berry and leaf colours might help narrow down the selection.
