Mountain ash , also known as mountain ash, is a tree or large shrub with feathery leaves and characteristic red fruits that persist until late autumn. In addition to the decorative qualities, it is also worth appreciatinghealing properties of rowanWe advise what it looks likegrowing rowanin the garden, how to performpruning rowan so that it retains a nice habit, as well as whichvarieties of rowanwork best in garden plantings.
Rowanberry - Sorbus aucuparia
Fig. pixabay.com
Rowanberry - description of what it looks like
Rowan, or mountain ash( Sorbus aucuparia ), belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). It is common throughout Europe, as well as in Asia Minor. In Poland, it can be found in its natural state both in the lowlands and in mountainous regions.
Rowan grows to a height of 10-15 mand takes the form of a tree or a large shrub. The crown becomes more and more spherical with age and can reach 6 m in diameter.
Characteristic for rowan areoblong, odd-pinnate leaves about 20 centimeters long, composed of 9-15 leaflets. Egg-shaped leaves with a serrated edge of the lamina are up to 6 cm long. Dark green on the outside and mossy on the underside, turning orange and red in autumn. Young leaves smell like marzipan after grinding.
Rowan blooms in MaySmall, white flowers are gathered in dense, flat corymbs, up to 15 cm wide.Rowan fruits gathered in clusters are spherical, intensely orange and then red. The fruit begins to color in July. They ripen in September and stay on trees until October. They are eagerly eaten by birds.
Fruits on rowan can persist until winter
Fig. pixabay.com
Rowanberry vs Swedish - differences
Apart from the common rowan, the Swedish rowan (Sorbus intermedia) is also found in our gardens. Fortunately, it is quite easy to distinguish these plants from each other.
The common rowan is characterized bylarge, pinnate leaves that turn red in autumn. The leaves of the Swedish rowan are oval, shallowly lobed, covered with a gray cutter on the underside. They turn yellow in autumn.
Rowan leaves are red in autumn
Fig. pixabay.com
The fruits of both species look similar, but rowan fruits are much richer in substances valuable for he alth. Thanks to this,rowan has a much wider application than the Swedish rowan
Both species are used for culinary purposes. However,heat treatment is required for rowan fruitsas the parasorbic acid in them gives a bitter taste and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In the case of the Swedish rowan, this problem does not occur.A summary of the differences between the discussed species of rowan is presented in the table.
Mountain ash - healing properties
Rowan fruits should be included in your daily diet , because they contain, among others, vitamins C and K, beta-carotene, organic acids, tannins and mineral s alts. They have anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic and hepatoprotective properties. They improve circulation and regulate metabolism.Due to the high content of vitamin C, they strengthen the body and support it in the fight against infections and colds. It is therefore worth appreciatinghealing properties of rowan fruitsrowan fruits are suitable for making delicious preserves, marinades, jams and tinctures.
Recipe for rowan fruit jam :
Boil the fruit in water 3 times for 3-4 minutes to get rid of bitterness. Then, pour about 2 kg of fruit into the previously prepared syrup of water and sugar (1: 1) and simmer slowly for about 60 minutes. Leave to cool, then cook again. Repeat the action several times until the fruit becomes glassy. Then put into jars.
Rowan fruit jam
Fig. depositphotos.com
Rowanberry - application
Rowan is often found in urban areasDue to its small dimensions and modest requirements, it is recommended for street plantings.It can be combined with equally resistant plants, such as barberry, tawula or cinquefoil, creating decorative plantings that are not afraid of urban pollution.
In the past, rowan was planted in cemeteries , because it was believed in its power to restrain the souls of the dead, so that they would not go beyond the boundaries of the cemetery. Today, this tree proves to be an undemanding plant for a cemetery, which retains its red fruit even at All Saints' Day.
Rowan in the gardenlooks best when planted singly as a solitaire. It can also be planted in small groups. It looks great in the company of tall grass or in a spring combination with tulips, daffodils or hyacinths.
Rowanberry - varieties
Among the ornamental varieties of rowan, the most common are:
Rowanberry 'Pendula'- is a variety with overhanging, long shoots hanging down to the ground, and sometimes even creeping. It reaches an average of 3 m in height and the same width. The fruit lasts a long time, until January.
Rowanberry 'Fastigiata'- is a columnar variety, 7 m high and 3 m wide. The tree is perfect for small gardens, especially since it grows slowly. The variety is often used in urban spaces due to its high resistance to pollution.
More and more often on our market there arehybrid varieties of rowancrossed with other fruiting species, so as to get rid of the bitter taste and increase yield. Here are some of them:
Rowan 'Beissneri'- a tree growing to a height of 5-7 m, with a conical crown. Sour fruit, devoid of bitterness, can be eaten even raw. Great for making jams and juices.
Mountain ash 'Granatnaja'- a dwarf variety of mountain ash with very large, navy blue and sweet fruits. It takes the form of a shrub that grows to a height of only 60-80 cm.
Rowan 'Krasavica'- is a hybrid of rowan and pear.Its fruits are very large (about 1.5 cm in diameter) and have a juicy orange flesh with a sweet-sour, refreshing taste with a slight bitterness. The fruit can be eaten both fresh and cooked. It reaches a height of 3-5 m and is perfect for planting in urban green areas.
Rowanberry - Sorbus aucuparia
Fig. pixabay.com
Jarząb 'Aleja Krupnaja'- this is a small, 2.5-3 meter variety with a spherical, wide crown. Its large fruits reach up to 2 g each and are distinguished by a sweet and sour taste, almost devoid of bitterness.
Rowan 'Krasnaja Krupnaja'- this variety bears large spherical fruits with yellow-red, slightly wrinkled, thin skin and sweet-sour, juicy flesh. It yields profusely. It reaches a height of 4-6 m. The crown of the tree has the shape of a wide cone with slightly dangling branches.
Jarząb 'Burka'- this variety was created by crossing the common rowan with a cross between rowan and chokeberry.Its dark red fruit is twice as large as that of mountain ash and has an intensely sweet flavor. They are suitable for direct consumption. It is a fertile variety, resistant to frost, diseases and pests.
Rowanberry 'Likjornaja'- its black fruits are perfect for making fruit liqueurs and wines.
Rowanberry - cultivation
Growing rowan is quite easyRowan is most often bought in containers and can be planted almost all year round, whenever weather conditions allow it. The plant is easy to adopt and does not require special care after planting.
Rowan is a species with low cultivation requirements , it can grow even on sands, because its root system is wide and deep. Rowan prefers well-drained, moist and slightly acidic soils. It is able to withstand water shortages, but cannot stand flooding the roots. This tree can be planted in warm, sunny and shaded positions.
Rowanberry - Sorbus aucuparia
Fig. pixabay.com
Rowan trees are quite resistant to air pollutionand extremely frost resistant (they belong to the frost resistance zone of plants 4). Therefore, they can be planted all over Poland and do not require protection for the winter.
Fertilizing the common rowanis usually not necessary. Its own fallen leaves decompose and provide the tree with nutrients. When we notice that the rowan grows weaker, we can supplement it by spreading mature compost under the plant.
Rowanberry - pruning
Rowans tolerate cutting shoots well.Sanitary cutting of mountain ashis most often performed in the early spring, removing dry and diseased branches. We also shorten excessively bulging shoots, giving the crown the desired shape. Cut the shoots just above the branching or above the bud facing the outside of the crown.
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