Plant Spotlight of the week: Showy Mountain Ash
This lovely native of the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior is, in my opinion, the best of the Mountain Ash varieties. Somewhat smaller at maturity than most others cultivars, Showy is easily hardy in cold Minnesota weather, and presents its reddish-orange clusters of fruit for viewing better than other varieties.
Wrapping of the bark in the winter until the tree is about 4″ in diameter will help avoid winter sun scald until the bark becomes thicker with age. Over the next few weeks you will notice the colorful fruit display on these trees as it matures from green to red/orange, and perhaps sometime this fall a flock of cedar wax wings will gorge themselves in preparation for the coming winter. Be sure to plant this tree in fertile, well drained soil to promote good healthy roots.
See our complete listing of shade trees for more options.
