The Showy Mountain Ash is the smaller of the ornamental landscaping trees and the hardiest of the species in this country, it is slow-growing and resistant to disease. A hardy accent tree for small landscapes, featuring showy clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright scarlet berries lasting into winter; attractive compound leaves turn red and orange in fall; needs well-drained soil, resistant to fireblight.

Showy Mountain Ash is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low-maintenance tree and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Showy Mountain Ash will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner-city environments.