I love Rowan trees and their vibrant berries, which add beauty to every season while providing food and shelter for wildlife. I’m lucky to live on a road lined with these beautiful trees, which bring bursts of colour and movement throughout the year. In spring, their delicate white blossom attracts pollinators, buzzing with bees and butterflies that take full advantage of the abundant nectar. By late summer, those blossoms transform into bright red berries, which contrast beautifully against the soft, feathery green foliage. As autumn arrives, the berries become an essential food source for birds like blackbirds, thrushes, and pigeons.
Rowans are not just for streets and woodlands—they make a fantastic garden addition, fitting beautifully into both small and large spaces. These trees remain a manageable size, reaching about 8m tall and 4m wide after twenty years of steady growth. If planted at least 5m from your home, they will enhance a naturalistic or woodland garden setting without overwhelming it. Their light, airy canopy allows dappled sunlight to filter through, creating the perfect balance of shade and warmth. Because of this, other plants beneath them continue to thrive, making them a wonderful companion for layered planting.
Every day, I walk my dog, Charlie, along these Rowan-lined streets, appreciating their ever-changing beauty through the seasons. While Charlie busies himself with his interests, I pause to admire the abundance of berries overhead. I always imagine the birds enjoying their feast, grateful for nature’s perfect timing and generosity. If you’re considering planting a Rowan tree, you won’t be disappointed with its charm. With delicate flowers, striking autumn leaf colour and berries, and undeniable value for wildlife, this tree brings both natural beauty and biodiversity to any outdoor space. Sorbus aucuparia ~ Rowan.
Happy gardening!
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