Sorbus Olympic Flame 6-8cm Girth Standard Pot Grown

Sorbus 'Olympic Flame' – Full Standard 6–8 cm Girth

A Striking Ornamental Rowan with Fiery Autumn Foliage and Multi-Season Interest

Sorbus 'Olympic Flame', commonly known as Olympic Flame Rowan, is a compact, deciduous ornamental tree that delivers exceptional year-round visual interest. Particularly renowned for its vivid autumn foliage, this variety also features creamy spring flowers, summer berries, and a neat, upright habit that makes it ideal for smaller gardens, avenues, or public landscapes.

This 6–8 cm girth Full Standard tree offers a balanced, well-formed crown on a single clear stem, ideal for planting where a uniform canopy is desired from 1.8–2m height upward.

Seasonal Beauty & Growth

Spring

• Buds burst into young coppery-red foliage, adding warmth and colour to the early garden.

• Creamy-white flower clusters emerge in late spring, highly attractive to pollinators.

Summer

• Mature leaves turn a deep green, creating a tidy, symmetrical crown.

• Bright red berries begin to form by midsummer, offering food for birds and ornamental value.

Autumn

• The standout season for 'Olympic Flame': foliage blazes into brilliant reds, oranges, and golds.

• The berries remain as a striking contrast, enhancing the seasonal display.

Winter

• After leaf fall, the tree maintains a graceful, upright silhouette.

• Red berries may persist into early winter, adding colour and texture when other plants fade.

Structure & Form

• Height & Spread: Reaches 5–7 m tall × 3–5 m wide at maturity.

• Girth: Supplied as 6–8 cm girth Full Standard with a clear stem height of approx. 1.8–2.0 m.

• Form: Upright and compact, with a naturally rounded crown.

• Growth Habit: Medium growth rate, forms a well-shaped tree with minimal pruning.

Ideal Landscape Uses

• Urban & Courtyard Gardens: Small footprint, big visual impact—ideal for restricted or formal planting areas.

• Avenue & Street Trees: Excellent in linear planting for driveways, paths, or verges.

• Wildlife-Friendly Gardens: Berries attract birds; flowers support pollinators.

• Specimen Tree: Great as a central feature in lawns, patios, or mixed borders.

Growing Conditions & Care

• Position: Best autumn colour in full sun, but tolerates light shade.

• Soil: Performs well in most well-drained soils, including loam and clay; prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK.

• Maintenance: Minimal. Prune in winter only if necessary to maintain shape or remove deadwood.

Why Choose Sorbus 'Olympic Flame' (6–8 cm Girth Full Standard)?

This Full Standard 6–8 cm girth tree offers a ready-to-plant specimen with a clean, elevated canopy—perfect for residential and commercial landscaping where size, structure, and spectacular seasonal colour are desired. With its tidy habit, manageable size, and high ornamental value, ‘Olympic Flame’ is one of the finest rowans for modern planting schemes.

Recommended Companions

• Underplanting: Use with Narcissus, Crocus, or Muscari for vibrant early spring contrast.

• Shrubs: Combine with Cornus, Euonymus, or Hydrangea for layered interest.

• Perennials: Surround with Asters, Sedum, or Anemone japonica for late-summer impact.

• Other Trees: Pair with Malus, Amelanchier, or Betula for complementary height and foliage contrast.