Sorbus arnoldiana Pink Veil

The Sorbus x arnoldiana Pink Veil is one of those small trees well suited to both small urban gardens and large rural areas, thanks to its natural appearance. It has beautiful deciduous compound foliage, not exceeding 4m (13ft) in height, with a reasonably slender habit. It produces creamy white flowers in May-June, which give way to pretty decorative pink berries, clearly visible against the green foliage. Towards the end of the season, as autumn arrives, the leaves take on warm colours, ranging from yellow to dark red-orange. Extremely tolerant of different soil types and exposures, it only needs to be protected from stagnant water and given a bit of light. It can even tolerate poor and dry soils and is very hardy, coping with frosts well.

The Sorbus x arnoldiana belongs to the very important Rosaceae family, both from an ornamental, ecological and economic point of view, with around a hundred genera and over 5000 species. Indeed, it includes not only many garden species (Amelanchier, Pyracantha, Crataegus, Potentilla... and of course, Roses!) but also wild species found in our countryside and forests (Wild strawberry, Common avens, Burnet) and it is responsible for most of our temperate and Mediterranean fruit trees (Apple trees, Pear trees, Cherry trees, Plum trees, Raspberry bushes, Apricot trees, Peach trees...). 

The Sorbus genus includes dozens of species, many of which (170+) are European, the most famous being the Mountain ash. This genus is divided into two groups: the Mountain ashes, with compound leaves, and the Whitebeams, with simple leaves. The Sorbus x arnoldiana is a hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding between the Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) and the Chinese Whitebeam (Sorbus discolour), which is native to northern China, where it can reach up to 10m (33ft) in height. This hybrid was described in 1920 by the great botanist Alfred Rehder, a curator at the Arnold Arboretum in the United States for many years, and wrote a plant identification book that is still a reference today.

'Pink Veil' is a cultivar with moderate development, generally reaching a height of 3.50m (after more than 10 years of planting), possibly 4m (13ft), with a width of about 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft). This small tree has a rather slender habit, with upright branches at the base, which open up to form a more or less spherical crown. It has a smooth, light brown bark, which slightly cracks with age, and odd-pinnate compound leaves, usually consisting of 11 to 13 leaflets (one at the end and the others facing each other). Measuring 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in length, they are green to dark green depending on the exposure. In May-June, it produces creamy white flowers grouped in large corymbs up to 15cm (6in) in diameter, which pollinating insects love. These flowers then develop into decorative fruits, small berries about 8mm (1in) in diameter, with an attractive pale pink colour, sometimes turning pink-red. Ripening in September-October, these fruits stand out visually against the still green foliage and attract birds. Then, it is the turn of the foliage to put on a show, with beautiful autumn colours ranging from yellow to more or less dark red-orange, ending the season in beauty.

This mountain ash is an undemanding tree that adapts to most soils, even acidic or moderately chalky, as long as they are well-drained. Preferring freshness, it can nevertheless withstand a temporary drought once well established. Very hardy, down to -25°C (1°F) and below, it tolerates urban pollution well, making it a perfect choice for small city gardens.

 The Sorbus x arnoldiana Pink Veil will be appreciated for its real ornamental qualities and compactness, allowing it to find its place even in small gardens. Both ornamental and beneficial to animal biodiversity, its slightly wild natural appearance also makes it easy to integrate into a rural environment. You can plant the Acer campestre Carnival next to it, a moderately sized Field maple with attractive green foliage variegated with white and pinkish young shoots. With its golden yellow foliage, the Golden cornel (Cornus mas Aurea) is another horticultural variation of wild plants that will accompany your Pink Veil Mountain ash in the same spirit.