Whitebeam Tree | Sorbus aria 'Lutescens'
Glorious white springtime blooms
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
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Currently out of stock
Currently out of stock
Pre-order for delivery by Late November
Plant diary
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Whitebeam Tree
Sorbus aria 'Lutescens'
- This highly popular, native tree is a big hit with both gardeners and wildlife alike, thanks to its incredible foliage, gorgeous springtime flowers and bold, colourful berries
- Speaking of the foliage, ‘Lutescens’ features distinctive, rounded, light green leaves with an unusual silvery sheen (which is especially prominent when the leaves have just emerged)
- Growing to a height of around 10 metres tall, this tree is undeniably impactful, and particularly well-suited to medium- and large-sized gardens – you can even prune your tree to keep to a shorter height as a means of fitting it into smaller gardens
- Clusters of enchanting, creamy-white flowers in late spring are followed by the appearance of vibrant, orange-red berries come autumn time (charmingly known as ‘chess apples’ in certain parts of England)
- The berries are a particular favourite of the birds, including thrushes, blackbirds and waxwings, while the flowers attract pollinating insects like bees (this tree is certified by the RHS as one of its Plants for Pollinators)
- Our potted trees are supplied in EcoPotsâ„¢. Eco pots use 70% less plastic and are fully recyclable, unlike normal single use pots. They flex and so produce less root spiralling and travel better in the post
- Our trees are usually between 18 and 36 months old at the time of dispatch
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching. This formative pruning can involve cutting the main leader, if the expert tree growers decide this will produce a better shaped tree. This can stop the tree becoming "leggy", and promote stronger, bushier growth
- Our mature trees are grown in Air-Pots®, the only type of pot to completely eliminate root circling. A unique design stimulates air pruning for a mass of healthy fibrous roots, which results in a healthy tree that will establish quickly in your garden. With each Air-Pot® made to last up to 20 years, we reuse them on the nursery and wrap your mature tree in hessian for delivery - but if you’d rather keep your tree potted, simply add an Air-Pot® to your basket along with your tree.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Whitebeam Tree can be grown in a large container (50-60cm). It is generally fine long-term but will need regular feeding and watering. Protect from extreme heat above 30°C.
How big does it get?
The Whitebeam Tree reaches a mature height of 10 to 12 metres, with a spread of 8 to 10 metres, although it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning.
How much sunlight does this need?
Whitebeam Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Whitebeam Tree prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil, but is quite adaptable to most soil types including clay, loam, and chalk. It tolerates winter ground temperatures down to -10°C. Plant in a hole at least 50cm wide for best results.
How much watering does this plant need?
Whitebeam Tree requires regular watering, especially during its first few years of establishment. Provide approximately 10 to 20 litres of water per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but well-drained. During hot weather above 25°C, increase watering frequency to prevent the roots from drying out.
Will this plant need pruning?
Whitebeam Tree requires minimal pruning; simply remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood in late winter or early spring.
How hardy is this plant?
Sorbus aria 'Lutescens' holds an RHS hardiness rating of H6, making it fully hardy in the UK and able to survive temperatures down to -20°C.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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