Sorbus poteriifolia

[Barry Hennessey]

I have a pot of Sorbus poteriifolia which I bought at an AGS show possibly from Edrom Nurseries. I now want to plant it into one of my rock gardens. One is in full sun and is a well-drained sandy loam. The other is in part shade with humus rich soil. Which one shall I choose as The Sorbus Monograph says shade and other sources of information say full sun.

Confused of East Haddon

[Maggi Young]

Hello Barry -  I don't know of a Sorbus  potaninii - might it be Sorbus poteriifolia ?  That one is a little gem for a trough or rock garden.

Does well here in Aberdeen in a fairly sunny spot on a raised  wall of a  rock bed, facing west.

[Barry Hennessey]

Well spotted Maggi. I have corrected it. I have a couple of shrubs sp. potaninii and I got confused.

Even more confused of East Haddon

[ArdfearnAli]

Hello Barry,
                I have grown it for years in many different places and found it dislikes being over wet in winter and also dislikes deep shade. It will grow in medium to light shade but tends to loose its low compact habit. I find like Maggie a sunny well drained spot is best. Its a superb plant especially in autumn with the white berries (if the birds don't get them first).

Alasdair

[Chris Parsons]

Will probably depend on where you are in the UK Barry. The info in the monograph may be based on Hugh McAllister's experience of growing this plant at Ness, which is quite dry due to the rain shadow cast by Snowdonia.

[Barry Hennessey]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I'll plant it on my sunny rock garden. It's a lovely little thing and will go well with the prostrate, dwarf willows.