UK Stock / Quick Postage

Recyclable Packaging

Bee & Insect Friendly

Whitebeam Tree 20/40cm (Cell)

Sorbus aria

£13.55

The Whitebeam, Sorbus aria, is a charming deciduous tree known for its distinctive foliage with white undersides and attractive red berries. It features oval leaves, creamy-white spring flowers, and a compact, rounded form. This native tree is ideal for urban settings, smaller gardens, and wildlife-friendly landscapes, offering year-round interest and ecological value.

· · ·
  • ✓ Distinctive oval leaves with white undersides for unique visual effect
  • ✓ Clusters of creamy-white flowers in spring attract pollinators
  • ✓ Produces attractive red berries in autumn, ideal for wildlife
  • ✓ Tolerant of urban conditions, suitable for street plantings and coastal gardens
  • ✓ Quality UK grown stock from Yarrow Gardens - DEFRA Registered Supplier

In stock - Usually dispatched within a few days

£13.55
1 item
£11.52
2 - 4 items
£11.25
5 - 9 items
£10.98
10 - 24 items
£10.16
25+ items

Feel free to call 01257 752247 or email us if you would prefer to order on the phone or have any questions. Trade / wholesale enquiries are welcome.

The Whitebeam, Sorbus aria, is a charming deciduous tree native to Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its distinctive foliage and attractive berries, this member of the rose family brings year-round interest to gardens and landscapes. The tree is characterized by its oval to rounded crown and striking leaves, which are broadly oval and have sharply toothed edges. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, while the undersides are covered in a dense white tomentum (fine hairs), giving the tree its common name ‘Whitebeam’. This unique foliage creates a beautiful effect when stirred by the wind, revealing flashes of white against the green. In spring, the tree produces clusters of creamy-white flowers, which are not only visually appealing but also fragrant, attracting a variety of pollinators.

Whitebeams typically grow to heights of 8-15 metres, though some specimens can reach up to 20 metres in ideal conditions. They have a moderate growth rate and develop a compact, rounded form that makes them suitable for a variety of landscape settings. As the tree matures, its bark becomes smooth and grey, adding to its ornamental value.

One of the most appealing aspects of Sorbus aria is its fruit production. In late summer to autumn, the tree bears clusters of scarlet-red berries, which stand out beautifully against the foliage. These berries not only add visual interest but also provide an important food source for birds and other wildlife.

In terms of seasonal interest, the Whitebeam offers something for every time of year. Spring brings the fresh green leaves and white flowers, summer showcases the mature foliage with its striking white undersides, autumn delivers both colourful berries and foliage, and winter reveals the tree’s attractive structure and smooth bark.

For those interested in native planting schemes or creating wildlife-friendly gardens, the Whitebeam is an excellent choice. It supports a variety of insects and provides food and shelter for birds, making it a valuable addition to any ecosystem-focused planting plan.

If you’re after a tree that offers year-round interest, wildlife value, and adaptability to various conditions, the Whitebeam is an excellent choice. It can be a valuable asset in both rural and urban settings, bringing beauty and ecological benefits to a variety of landscapes.

Caring for Whitebeams is relatively straightforward. Plant them in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. They prefer well-drained, fertile soils but can adapt to a variety of soil conditions, including chalky and clay soils. Water regularly when first planted to help establish a strong root system. Once established, they are relatively drought-tolerant but will appreciate deep watering during prolonged dry spells. Fertilisation is generally not necessary unless the soil is particularly poor. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, focusing on removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain the tree’s natural shape. Whitebeams are generally hardy and resistant to many pests and diseases, but keep an eye out for issues like fireblight or leaf spot. In garden settings, consider planting them where their berries won’t create mess on paved areas.

Ultimate height
8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres

Season of Interest

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Sunlight

Partial Sun


Pot Size

Cell

Foliage

Deciduous

Foliage Colour

Green

Flower Colour

White

Hardiness

-15°C to -10°C (H5)

When Mature

Watering

Moderate

Preferred Soil Type

Any well drained soil


British Native
British Native

Great for wildlife
Great for wildlife

RHS Plants for Pollinators


Our deep cell trays are a smart strategy for cultivating trees with strong and deep root systems. This leads to healthier and more resilient trees that are better prepared for transplantation and long-term growth in your garden.

Extended Planting Season

Cell grown trees offer a significantly broader planting window, allowing for planting almost year-round in certain conditions. This flexibility ensures easier scheduling and enhances tree establishment due to warmer soil and more favourable weather conditions, extending beyond the traditional planting season.

Robust Root System

The roots of cell grown trees are encased and safeguarded within compost, preventing the young fibrous roots from drying out or sustaining damage. This intact root system, with its uniform and manageable shape, facilitates straightforward planting.

Convenient Storage

These trees can be effortlessly stored outdoors before planting, eliminating the need for labour-intensive temporary planting (heeling in) or costly refrigerated storage.

Ease of Handling and Planting

The extended shelf life of cell grown trees means there’s no immediate urgency to plant. Their user-friendly root system increases the likelihood of successful planting. These characteristics make them ideal for planting by novices or volunteers.

High Survival Rate

The intact root system of cell grown trees significantly boosts their chances of successful establishment, virtually removing the need for expensive replanting (beating up).

Cost-Effectiveness

While the initial purchase price of cell grown trees may be slightly higher than bare-root stock for some species, the long-term savings achieved by reducing the need for replacing failed transplants than compensates for the initial minor cost difference.

No plastic waste

Trees are often supplied plastic pots that are difficult to recycle, especially the black pots. We rely on our customers to reuse these where possible, however these cell grown trees do not have plastic pots – saving any reuse & recycling concerns.

Delivery
Yarrow Gardens aim to have your order with you in fastest time possible and safest method of transport. Dependent on the parcel size and geographical destination in mind with will select the most suitable courier.

You are welcome to collect any times from our nursery in Euxton, Lancashire. Please contact us to arrange a suitable date and time.

With regret, we can no longer send items out to Northern Ireland. All live plants need a phytosanitary checks and DAERA must be notified. This process is simply too expensive at the moment.

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Returns
In the rare instance that your item has been damaged during delivery or incorrectly shipped by us, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss the return and replacement of your item.

Once you have contacted us and we have confirmation that your parcel is on its way back to us we will be happy to issue a refund for the return postage.

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Delivery charges will be based on the highest applicable rate from our rate table, determined by the items in your order.
Alternatively, we offer the option to collect your items in person by prior arrangement.
These prices are based on delivery to UK Mainland. Delivery to Highlands & Islands will be more.
Delivery Class Delivery Cost
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Tracked £3.25 (Flat)
Royal Mail Letter - Royal Mail Second Class £0.95 (Flat)
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Tracked £3.25 (Flat)
Royal Mail Large Letter - Royal Mail Second Class £2.10 (Flat)
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £7.95 (Flat)This item
Standard Items - Standard Courier (Evri) £4.49 (Flat)This item
Medium Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £7.95 (Flat)
Large Items - Pallet Courier £90.00 (Flat)
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcelforce) £28.95 (Flat)
Large Items - Standard Courier (Parcel Force) £24.95 (Flat)
Pallet Courier - Pallet Courier£90.00 (Flat)

We are a small family business based in Euxton, West Lancashire. We specialise in the supply of trees, shrubs both bare root & cell grown. Much of our stock is grown directly on site from seed or cuttings. Other stock is all UK sourced where possible.

We adhere to industry leading biosecurity measures, this ensures that our nursery remains clean and disease free.

We are DEFRA registered and our nursery is regularly inspected to confirm compliance with all current plant and plant health regulations.

Our Plant Passport Registration Number is GB140010

You can view our Plant Healthy report here.

We are actively working towards the Grown in Britain certification along with the Plant Healthy certification.

Should you have any concern or question in respect of our plant health matters, please get in touch.