European Mountain Ash
Sorbus aucuparia
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Korea, Krym, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Eeno11
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Sorbus
- Species:
- Sorbus aucuparia
- USDA Symbol:
- SOAU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
American plum borer (Euzophera semifuneralis), apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella), Ash Borer (Podosesia syringae), blackthorn dagger (Acronicta pruni), Cnidocampa flavescens, maple-basswood leafroller (Sparganothis pettitana), Phyllonorycter crataegella, three-lined leafroller (Pandemis limitata), Welsh wave (Venusia cambrica), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-rich soils in native habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; fresh seed germinates best. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Place on damp paper towel in plastic bag for 6 weeks in fridge - should germinate in cold