SORBUS

Commonly known as Rowan

Genus of about 100 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, widely distributed in the northern hemisphere.

Vast range of attractive cultivars, most suited to small to average gardens and ideal in woodland settings. Includes the natives Mountain ash, aucuparia, the Whitebeam, aria and Wild service, torminalis.

All are valued for leaf shape, flowers, berries and their benefit to insects and birds. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution.

Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes

Flowering

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Sep

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Good to know
Grown for its ornamental leaves, large heads of flowers and berries which can be coloured white, yellow, orange, red or brown. Ideal specimen tree in a small garden. Wildlife plant - insects, birds.
Place of origin
Widely distributed in northern temperate regions
Deciduous
Dwarf shrub
Typically only grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height but there will be some exceptions.
Tree
Scented flowers
Musk-scented, best appreciated from a distance.

View Planting Tips and Care Advice

Planting to avoid allergic reactions and asthma

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 1) Collecting Seeds

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 2) Storing Seeds

Shrubs and Trees - Seeds - 3) Planting Seeds

Planting seeds in spring

Sorbus - Growing Guide

Trees - Care Guide

More Care Guides & Tips

Search Caerhays Garden Diary for more info & pictures

varieties

SORBUS americana

American mountain ash

(syn. Pyrus americanus) - small white flowers in spring followed by orange-red berries

2 Litre

£40.00

SORBUS aria 'Lutescens'

Whitebeam

upper surface of leaves covered by creamy while indumentum becoming grey-green later in summer

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS aucuparia

The widespread rowan.

Whip

£20.00

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS aucuparia 'Sheerwater Seedling'

A common street tree with a very upright but vigorous habit. Orange-red fruits

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS 'Autumn Spire'

Compact columnar habit and yellow berries with a red centre

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS carmesina 'Emberglow'

Rowan

White flowers followed by dark red fruits, ageing to pink. Blue-green leaves.

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS cashmiriana

Pink or white flowers and spherical white berries which are pink-tinged at first

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS 'Chinese Lace'

Upright tree with pinnate leaves. Small white flowers in late spring followed by orange-red berries

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS commixta 'Embley'

(Syn. Discolor) fine cut foliage, erect, bright red fruits and autumn colour

Whip

£35.00

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS 'Copper Kettle'

A compact growing tree with good red and orange autumn leaves and coppery coloured fruit persisting into winter

Whip

£40.00

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS folgneri 'Emiel'

This has proved to be a superb tree for its orange berries and autumn colour at Caerhays. Narrow light green leaves which are white underneath

Whip

£40.00

Estimated availability autumn 2026 Any time SEPT-DEC
Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS harrowiana

A rare species with very distinct pinnate leaves. Small flowers in feathered corymbs and pink or white fruits

Whip

£50.00

SORBUS hemsleyi 'John Bond'

Whitebeam

Columnar habit. White flowers followed by small brown fruits in autumn.

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS hupehensis

Chinese rowan, Hubei rowan

White or white tinged pink fruits and glorious red autumn colour

Whip

£40.00

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS intermedia

Swedish whitebeam

green foliage, grey beneath, orange-red berries

Whip

£25.00

SORBUS 'Joseph Rock'

Fine cut foliage, creamy yellow berries and good autumn colour

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS pseudovilmorinii

Fine pinnate leaves and white flowers. Deep pink fruits in autumn, ageing to a paler pink with a white blush

H/Std

£80.00

Available Early Spring 2026
Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.

SORBUS sargentiana

Rowan

Leaf buds sticky like an aesculus, rich red autumn colour

Whip

£40.00

H/Std

£80.00

Estimated availability autumn 2026 Any time SEPT-DEC
Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.

SORBUS scalaris

Striking species with dark green glossy leaves, downy underneath which turn to rich red and purple in autumn. Red fruits

H/Std

£80.00

SORBUS thibetica 'John Mitchell'

Tibetan whitebeam

Huge rounded leave with white indumentum on their undersides. Russet-brown apple-shaped fruits

2 to 3 Litre

£40.00

SORBUS torminalis

A rare native tree with scaly bark and maple-like leaves

Whip

£25.00

SORBUS vilmorinii

Fern-like leaves in clusters of small leaflets. Fruits are rose-red then pink and white. A suitable species for the smaller garden

H/Std

£75.00

SORBUS wardii

Tibetan whitebeam

A splendid silvery whitebeam species with a columnar habit

Whip

£30.00

Currently out of stock, please check again soon

SORBUS 'Wisley Gold'

Rowan

Large clusters of long-lasting yellow fruits.

H/Std

£80.00

Estimated availability autumn 2026 Any time SEPT-DEC
Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.

Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy

Afterplant - Tree & Shrub

Tailored specifically to help feed both trees and shrubs. Recommended for first year after planting use to support newly planted trees and shrubs establish themselves. Also good for potted shrubs and trees to enable them to thrive.

1KG packet

£8.25

Vermin & Pest Control

Slug Pellets

Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails. Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.

800g

£6.50

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy

Afterplant - Tomatoes

AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.

1ltr

£8.50

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SORBUS

Commonly known as Rowan

varieties

Useful extras...