Sorbus austriaca

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −23.3 °C

Cultivation

Succeeds in most reasonably good soils in an open sunny position, though it fruits better in a sunny position[K]. This species is closely related to S. intermedia. Plants are susceptible to fireblight. Trees seen at Wisley and at Cambridge Botanical Gardens in September 1993 were bearing very good crops of fruit[K]. The name of this species might have been mis-spelt, it could be S. austrica.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, but they are busy building up a good root system. It is best to keep them in pots in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring.

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in preserves etc[K]. Rather mealy but a pleasant semi-sweet flavour when fully ripe[K]. The fruits are about 13mm across and are borne in fairly large bunches making harvesting easy[K].

Habitat

Not known

Native range

Europe - Switzerland to Austria and Hungary.

Scientific synonyms Hedlundia austriaca