If you are looking for a decorative ornamental tree for your garden, you can have a lot of fun with the whitebeam. This is very easy to care for and hardy.
When looking for a decorative tree for the home garden, which also appears undemanding and requires little maintenance, nobody can avoid the whitebeam (Sorbus). A more shrub-like growth is ideal for the smaller garden. Larger gardens can also tolerate lush specimens. Before you buy, you should find out about the individual varieties and their properties. All whitebeams have lush green foliage, pretty flowers in spring and reddish apple fruits, paired with attractive autumn colours. You can now find out what needs to be considered when caring for the plants.
The most beautiful types of whiteberries presented briefly
When we talk about whitebeams, rowanberries or mountain ash are the most important. These are covered in separate articles. However, there are about 100 other species. Some varieties will now be presented in more detail.
» Dwarf Hawberry
The dwarf whitebeam (Sorbus chamaemespilus) is the smallest species of whitebeam found in Central Europe. The small shrub grows to a height of about 1.5 meters. The growth is bushy and moderately branched. Winter buds up to one centimeter long are formed. These are green-brown and hairy. The flowering period extends to the months of June and July. The brown-red fruits are about 1.5 centimeters in size. Harvest time is in September. The fruits are edible. The natural range of the dwarf whitebeam extends from the Vosges to the Black Forest and the Northern Alps.
» Ades Whitebeam
The Ades whitebeam (Sorbus adeana) is a cross between the whitebeam (Sorbus aria) and the serviceberry. The deciduous tree occurs only in the Upper Franconian Bärental and the adjacent Kleinziegenfelder valley. The rare plant is considered potentially endangered. In autumn, the Ades whitebeam bears yellowish apple fruits with reddish cheeks.
» Kordigast Whitebeam
This hybrid can grow about five meters tall. The Kordigast whitebeam (Sorbus cordigastensis) has strikingly large, rounded leaves,which feel thin and papery. This whitebeam only occurs on the Kordigast in the Franconian Jura. There it grows on calcareous soils in beech or pine forests.
» Broad-leaved Whitebeam
This whitebeam with the botanical name Sorbus latifolia gave its name to the leaves, which are up to 7.5 centimeters wide. The plants can grow up to 15 meters high. The white grape flowers appear in May. The round brown-orange and edible fruits ripen in autumn. The broad-leaved whitebeam has its origins in the Paris Basin. It has been cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks since the middle of the 18th century.
Other known species:
- Dwarf whitebeam (Sorbus chamaemespilus)
- Austrian whitebeam (Sorbus austriaca)
- Baden Whitebeam (Sorbus badensis)
- Red whitebeam (Sorbus fischeri)
- Meyer's Whitebeam (Sorbus meyeri)
- Hersbruck Whitebeam (Sorbus pseudothuringiaca)
Water whiteberry
The water requirement is rather low. As a result, the plants cope better with a longer period of drought than with a stand that is too wet. The whitebeams do not have to be watered every day. Instead, it makes sense to water the plants with the garden hose for about half an hour once a week. This allows the water to penetrate to the roots and the plants gain more stability.
» Tip: If the plants are not sheltered from the wind, they will dry out more quickly. In this case, it is necessary to water more often. Alternatively, a layer of mulch protects the soil from drying out.
During longer periods of heat, it should be watered regularly. It is important to avoid waterlogging in any case. Too much moisture in the soil will attack the roots and the plants will begin to rot.
Watering the whitebeam correctly in keywords:
- rather low water requirement
- long drought is tolerated
- weekly watering with the garden hose
- Avoid waterlogging
Fertilize whitebeam
Regular fertilization is not necessary. Young trees should be provided with compost or humus in the spring. Most whitebeams love lime. Lime-poor soils should therefore be upgraded accordingly in spring. Garden lime, rock flour or algae lime can be used. If the plants are supplied with comfrey manure in autumn, this increases their frost hardiness. Regular mulching keeps the soil warm and moist.
» Tip: From the age often years, whitebeams no longer need to be supplied with fertilizer.
Fertilize the whitebeam correctly in keywords:
- young trees receive compost or humus
- Upgrade low-lime soils in spring
- Comfrey manure makes you frost hardy
- Mulch retains warmth and moisture in the soil
Cutting the whitebeam?
It is not absolutely necessary to cut the whitebeam. However, it is useful for carving out a pretty growth habit and keeping size under control. The topiary is best done in June. The crown is thinned out. However, enough branches should remain so that a lush crown can be formed.
Major pruning can be done after the plant has shed its foliage. The dead wood is completely removed from the crown. Remove the lower side shoots to allow the trunk to develop. For larger branches, the branch should first be sawn on its underside. Keep a distance of about ten centimeters from the trunk. The branch is cut on the underside and then you put the saw on the top and remove the branch completely.
» Tip: Make sure the cut edges are smooth and use a wound sealant to treat the cuts.
An overview of the most important care instructions
| Activity | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • rather low water requirement • rather water weekly with a garden hose than water frequently • water regularly during prolonged drought • avoid waterlogging |
| Fertilize | • Provide young trees with compost or humus every spring • Help with lime-poor soils with garden lime or rock flour • Fertilization no longer necessary from the age of ten years |
| Cut | • tolerates pruning • make larger prunings between October and February • topiary preferably in June |
Detecting and combating diseases and pests
The plants are generally considered to be robust and hardy. Nevertheless, infestations with diseases and pests can occur.
The following are particularly noteworthy:
- Firebrand
- Rust
- Aphids
- Peetle weevil larvae
❏ Fireblight
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that is notifiable in Germany. The disease is caused by bacteria that spread over the flowersprovide access to the plant. This happens especially on warm and dry summer days.
» Note: If the plant is also infested with aphids, fire blight will spread quickly.
Fire blight can be recognized by discolored flowers, leaves and fruits. These appear brown-black and as if burned. The shoot tips deform into a hook. The leaves and fruits dry up. Only a radical pruning into the he althy wood helps against fire blight.
» Attention: pruning waste does not belong in the compost. Dispose of them with household waste.
❏ Rust
Rust is a fungal disease that causes orange leaf spots. After some time, the spore beds can also be seen on the underside of the leaves. The hobby gardener usually does not have to intervene in the event of rust. The fungus changes its host and after a while prefers to visit juniper species.
❏ Vine weevil larvae
Infestation with vine weevil larvae goes unnoticed over a longer period of time because the larvae cause major damage to the roots. This is often only noticed when the growth is already so weak that it is dying.
» Tip: If the soil has a high humus content, the risk of infestation increases.
The larvae are combated with special sprays, which can also be added to the irrigation water.
Overwintering whitebeam
Most whitebeam species are hardy in our latitudes and do not require any additional protection. It is a good idea to find out about the winter hardiness of the plant before you buy it.
» Tip: In autumn, a layer of mulch on the soil can protect against drying out and keep the soil warm.