Rowan

Common Name

Rowan, Mountain Ash

Latin Name

Sorbus aucuparia

Status

Native.

Distribution

Widespread though more thinly distributed in the east.

Habitats

Woodland, scrub, stream sides, road verges, rock and scree.

Requirements

Will grow on a broad range of soils. Tolerates shade and exposure.

Recommendations

An attractive small tree bearing conspicuous flowers and berries. A fast growing pioneer species suitable for general planting as a woodland fringe and under storey species, particularly in the west of the county and on poor and exposed sites.

Origins/Provenance

The existing population is largely wild although increasingly planted as a landscaping tree. Widely dispersed by birds. Use plants of local provenance or FC seed zones 302 and 204 and avoid ornamental cultivars in rural situations.

Notes

The related Common Whitebeam is not considered a native of County Durham though naturalised in places where it has been introduced. Another relative, the Rock Whitebeam, Sorbus rupicola, is very rare and found here only on limestone exposures in Teesdale.