Sorbus scalaris is an unusual variety of Rowan with delicate looking, frond-like foliage that is green in summer and turns orange, red and purple in the autumn. The shape of this attractive foliage has led to this variety being referred to as Ladder Rowan.
Tiny white flowers are held in bunches (corymbs) in May-June and are a favourite of bees during the summer months. Along with autumnal foliage colours, autumn also brings bunches of orange/red berries that are popular with birds.
This tough Chinese Mountain Ash tree will grow in most soils and conditions including exposed positions. Slightly spreading in form and growing to just 5 x 4 metres, Sorbus scalaris is ideal for small spaces. It works hard for its position in the garden, providing changing seasonal interest and food for wildlife.
AKA Chinese Mountain Ash, Chinese Rowan, Ladder Rowan
Our pot grown Chinese Mountain Ash trees can be planted at any time of the year. Start by removing weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole. Dig a square hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. To help the tree establish more effectively, sprinkle root grow in the hole.
Remove the pot, gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole. Mix 50% of the original soil with 50% compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Avoid banking the soil up around the collar of the tree.
We recommend planting Mountain Ash trees with a stake and tie kit. For single stakes, place the stake at an angle to avoid penetrating the rootmass and knock it in until it is firm. Use a buckle tie, placing the spacer between the stake and tree.
If you’re planting in spring or summer, water well for the first few months. Increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If planting in autumn, you may only need to water a little. Irrigation kits make it easier.
Once planted, keep the area free of competing weeds and grass for the first couple of growing seasons. If your area is prone to rabbits, use a rabbit guard.
Chinese Mountain Ash trees require a strong framework to support their beautiful berries so it is good to encourage this by raising the crown in summer. Simply prune the lower branches and any crossing, damaged or diseased branches within the crown.
Hard pruning of Rowan trees can be carried out in the dormant season, from autumn to winter.
Covid-19: In response to government advice and for the safety of everyone, we have taken the difficult decision to stop nursery operations until mid-April.
It will still be possible to place new orders through our website and your trees will be tagged and reserved for you, but we will be unable to despatch them until operations resume.
1 small tree (most trees under 1.5 metres in height) : £7.95 + vat
1 medium tree (most trees 1.5-2 metres in height) or 2-4 small trees: £9.95 + vat
2+ medium trees or 5+ small trees: £12.95 + vat
1-4 trees delivered by pallet (inc. mature Japanese Maples): £19.95 + vat
The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.
Mature and pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode rather than quantity (starts from £48 + vat).
Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.
All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team and most are delivered within 10 days of placing the order. There's no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.
There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date.
Trees on pre-order are still growing and an estimate of when they will be ready is given on the basket page. Orders will be despatched when all trees are ready.
Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.
Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees. For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.
The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. Below are definitions of terms:
Supplied Size: Height measured from the top of the pot.
Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.
Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.
Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.
Multi Stem: A multi stem tree has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system.
Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.
Clump: Several plants in one pot that can give the appearance of a multi stemmed and very bushy tree.
Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.
Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height:
Standard either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height
Premium Standard 10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height
Heavy Standard 12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height
Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height
| Plant Specification | Form | Supplied Size | Root type | Price | Quantity Qty | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Stem Tree | 150-200cm | 10L pot | £59.99£49.99 (ex VAT) (VAT Free) (ex VAT) (inc VAT) (VAT Free) (inc VAT) | 1
|
