Common Rowan

The Rowan or Mountain Ash is found throughout the UK, and is suitable for most situations. The leaves are highly feathered or "pinnate", with each leaf consisting of many pairs of indented lobes.

Cascades of small white flowers are produced in late spring.

The tree is at its best in the autumn, when the leaves take on red-orange tints, and abundant clusters of red berries provide extra colour.

Rowans are distantly related to crab-apples and the berries can be cooked in a similar way, to make Rowan jelly. The berries are also very attractive to birds.

Rowans grow easily from seed, and there are numerous cultivated varieties - usually chosen for their more varied leaf shapes or fruit colours. All forms of this species seem to be good hosts for mistletoe.