Rowan Autumn Spire

A small, very upright mountain ash or rowan with several seasons of interest, Sorbus aucuparia Autumn Spire is ideal for a smaller urban garden, as it’s tolerant of urban pollution and has a very narrow habit. It’s a small, slow-growing, deciduous tree, upright when young, more columnar when mature. The leaves are deeply divided, like a rowan’s, bright green, turning fiery red, sometimes with a yellow tinge, in autumn. Flat clusters of creamy-white flowers are followed by yellow berries, attractive to birds. The berries of rowan Autumn Spire can also be used to make rowan jelly.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Well-drained, loamy or sandy, neutral to acid soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: Spring to autumn
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 13’ (4m) Spread: 39’’ (1m) in 10-20 years

Photo by Allan Harris, cropped, and licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.