Rowan
Stake for the first two years on an exposed site, and water well through the first two summers.
Care
Tolerates cold, exposed sites well.
Reliably drought-tolerant once established.
Adaptable soil of most types, including poor or acidic ground.
Minimal — formative pruning only while young, in winter while dormant.
No feeding needed — rowans are native to thin upland soils and grow perfectly well without. A young tree wants a mulched, grass-free circle rather than fertiliser.
From seed: clean the flesh off the berries and sow outdoors in autumn so the seed gets a natural winter. Named forms are grafted, so seedlings vary in berry colour and habit.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- MayEnjoy the white spring flowers.
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries and leaf colour — an important food source for birds.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- MayEnjoy the white spring flowers.
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries and leaf colour — an important food source for birds.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- AprilEnjoy the white spring flowers.
- SeptemberEnjoy the autumn berries and leaf colour — an important food source for birds.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- JanuaryFormative pruning while young and fully dormant. how ›
- AprilEnjoy the white spring flowers.
- OctoberEnjoy the autumn berries and leaf colour — an important food source for birds.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Blackened, scorched-looking blossom and shoots.
What to do. Cut out well below the affected area, disinfect tools.
How to spot it. Orange spots on leaves.
What to do. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves; rarely serious.
How to spot it. White, fluffy patches on bark.
What to do. Treat if severe.
Questions
Rowan: is it hardy?
H6: Hardy in the vast majority of UK gardens. It survives down to −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Can be grown in a large pot for a few years while young.
Rowan: when do you prune it?
Minimal — formative pruning only while young, in winter while dormant. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in January.
Rowan: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May.
When do you feed it?
No feeding needed — rowans are native to thin upland soils and grow perfectly well without. A young tree wants a mulched, grass-free circle rather than fertiliser.