Lutescens

Lutescens is an excellent example of the Whitebeams, closely related to the Rowans but characterised by their more regularly shaped (non-pinnate) grey-green leaves.

The young branches also usually have white hairs, and the light undersides of the leaves add to the white effect.

Lutescens produces small white flowers in late spring followed by orange-red berries in autumn when the leaves also take on russet / gold hues. The berries are very popular with birds.

Growing and Training

Lutescens is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, and is a particularly good choice if you have chalk / alkaline soil.

History

Lutescens has been popular for more than a century, and is widely planted as a street tree.

The species Sorbus aria is native to large parts of southern England - particularly the chalk downs - as well as western and central Europe.

Lutescens characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Fruit persistenceNormal ripening
• PruningLight prune
• Country of originUnited Kingdom
• Period of origin1850 - 1899
• Fruit colourOrange / Red

You might also like these varieties

• 
  Common Rowan
  The Rowan or Mountain Ash, native to most parts of the UK. The leaves turn golden red in autumn, accompanied by clusters of red berries. One of the largest species of Sorbus.
• 
  Lutescens
  An excellent garden tree, very hardy, easy to grow, and tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. Grey-green leaves turn russet in autumn, with orange berries.
• 
  Olympic Flame
  Olympic Flame (or Dodong) is an attractive small rowan tree, its orange/red autumn leaf-colours are amongst the best.