Matthew Ridley

Sorbus 'Matthew Ridley' is vigorous upright Rowan or Mountain Ash.

This is one of the earlier-flowering Rowans, usually starting in early May. The flowers are small and white, long-lasting, and attractive to bees.

In autumn it features large clusters of oblong-shaped orange-red berries.

The highly lobed leaves are bright green, taking on autumnal hues before they fall.

Growing and Training

Matthew Ridley is easy to grow on most soils.

History

This Rowan tree is named after Lord Matthew Ridley, a keen botanist who died in 2012. He did much to encourage the conservation and study of trees, and held a national collection of Sorbus on his estate at Blagdon in Northumberland, where this variety was discovered.

Matthew Ridley characteristics

• Gardening skillBeginner
• Fruit persistencePersistent
• PruningLight prune
• Fruit colourYellow / Orange

You might also like these varieties

• 
  Common Rowan
  The Rowan or Mountain Ash, native to most parts of the UK. The leaves turn golden red in autumn, accompanied by clusters of red berries. One of the largest species of Sorbus.
• 
  Lutescens
  An excellent garden tree, very hardy, easy to grow, and tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions. Grey-green leaves turn russet in autumn, with orange berries.
• 
  Olympic Flame
  Olympic Flame (or Dodong) is an attractive small rowan tree, its orange/red autumn leaf-colours are amongst the best.