Bareroot Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan / Mountain Ash)

A beloved native tree offering exceptional seasonal interest with clusters of creamy white spring flowers followed by vibrant orange red berries that attract birds throughout autumn and winter. Its feathery, pinnate leaves turn fiery shades of red and purple in autumn, creating a spectacular display. Adaptable to various soil types, including poor and exposed sites, it thrives in both rural and urban settings. The compact, upright form makes it suitable for smaller gardens while providing valuable wildlife support. A perfect choice for year round beauty, combining ornamental appeal with ecological benefits as a food source for pollinators and birds.

Family of Trees: Rosaceae

Habit: Deciduous Tree

Growth Rate: 30 to 60 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-20°C, hardy to -30°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Berries edible when cooked

Flowers or Berries: White Flowers, Red Berries

Hardiness: H6 (Very Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)