Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’) is a tree that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’).
This plant is commonly known as mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’
Scientific name: Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’
Plant type: Trees
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’) – Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trees are essential plants in gardens, large and small, with their sculptural presence.
In terms of design, they add height, structure and interest all year round with attractive flowers, foliage, fruits and trunks.
In addition, they provide home and a food source for birds and other wildlife.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, clay or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’ likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Mountain ash ‘Leonard Messel’ (Sorbus ‘Leonard Messel’) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
