Sorbus aria 'MAGNIFICA'

Whitebeam is a European native from warmer regions of our country. It is a long-lived tree, able to cope with air-pollution and heavy clay soil which most other trees may find difficult to adapt to, which is why it has become common in public landscaping.

Magnifica is an attractive whitebeam variety from Germany originated already in 1917. It has large (12-15 cm long), highly glossy, deeply veined, deciduous leaves which emerge silvery grey and mature to dark green retaining silvery undersides. Tiny flowers are formed in small corymbs and open from mid to late May. They are very melliferous and offer a good bee pasture for a considerable period of time (2-4 weeks). In autumn mature small, rounded, red fruit that is edible but seeds may contain small amounts of hydrogen cyanide (as in bitter almonds), therefore the fruit is not recommended for mass consumption.

Whitebeam is a moderate grower making 25-35 cm per year and keeping quite a uniform, densely branched, broadly ovate canopy. Pruning is not required but possible if you want to keep it smaller – do so in early spring. In the wild it usually grows on limestone but it is not picky about soil type, it can take almost any pH and copes well with heavy clay, compacted soils. It prefers full sun and even moisture. Fully hardy to min. -30°C (USDA zone 5) but may take a few degrees lower.

Last update 22-09-2014; 3-9-2015